• Source:JND
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The #MeToo movement in Kannada industry has been highlighting stories of sexual harassment against women actors. Recently noted Kannada actor Neethu Shetty, a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the coveted Karnataka State Film Award for her outstanding performance in Koti Chennayya, shed light on the prevailing culture of silence and complacency within the film industry. Shetty highlighted the industry's tendency to adopt a "sweeping under the carpet" approach.

In a conversation with News18, Neethy Shetty said, “Once when I requested a producer for some time for a film group that wanted to read out a script to him for a small-budget film, his response was that I should leave it and join him for a holiday in Goa instead.”

Another Kannada actor said, “Ask any woman who has acted in Kannada films. They will have a story of harassment to tell. Those who think they can act without accountability need to learn boundaries.”

Actor Chetan said in a conversation with ANI, “Our FIRE (Film Industry for Rights and Equality) organisation yesterday have all put it up that we want a Hema community report of our own in Karnataka from a retired judge who has commissioned commitment to gendered rights and gender justice. And we want that at the earliest. We want that in three to four months.”

Over 1,550 film personalities in Karnataka recently approached Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with a pressing request. They're seeking government support to establish a committee, led by a retired judge, to tackle sexual harassment in the Kannada film industry. This move was inspired by Kerala's Justice Hema Committee Report, released on September 4, which sparked a call to action against harassment in the industry.

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