Sex pests: Some in Tollywood welcome Bengal govt panel plan, some still sceptical

KOLKATA: The news of the Bengal govt’s plan to set up a committee, on the lines of Kerala’s Hema Committee, to probe sexual abuse complaints in the Bengali film industry has created a ripple in Tollywood. While many feel this is a big step to clean up the muck in the industry, others wonder if this will give out the right signals for championing the cause of women workers’ security in the aftermath of the RG Kar incident.Actor Rayati Bhattacharya, who had earlier told TOI about the indecent proposals she had received in the industry, lauded this as a “bold initiative”. “I had wanted such a committee. I believe we will be able to operate with greater autonomy. Attitudes will not transform instantaneously. However, there will be an element of fear,” Bhattacharya said.The Women’s Forum for Screen Workers + released a statement stating: “It is hereby clarified that while Ritabhari Chakraborty is a signatory to our charter of demands, she has not represented WSFW+ at her meeting with the honourable chief minister of West Bengal. We have not issued any letter of demand to the CM till date. However, in the spirit of fellowship, we will be looking forward, if and when the government of West Bengal wishes to take any such steps towards the protection of women, and gender and sexual minorities among screen-workers. But such steps will, however, be subject to scrutiny and careful evaluation.”Daminee Benny Basu, a member of this forum, remains uncertain about the future trajectory of events. “The governor, who also faces sexual harassment allegations, sent the Aparajita Bill to the President. The Aparajita Bill was passed in the assembly simply on the basis of majority without any consultation with the civil society and relevant stakeholders whatsoever. It breaches all practices safeguarding democracy. Despite the gravity of the situation, the secretary of Paschim Banga Natya Akademi has not yet responded to our charter of demands. The hearing for the rape allegation against the actor who performed in ‘Tin-er Talowar’ on March 2 this year is imminent. We stand in solidarity with the survivor,” Basu said.According to her, both the RG Kar incident and this case are rape cases. “Pursuits of justice have been reduced to spectacle, severity, exemplary punishment justifying capital punishment. While the actor has survived, the other from a renowned health sector has not. Sadly, the actor seeking justice in her rape case must endure a five-year wait for the case to be heard,” she added.Bhattacharya had once received an inappropriate proposition from a Tollywood director on a film set. “He unabashedly inquired, ‘do you sleep?’ Once this committee begins its operations, a director like him will hesitate before posing such a question to a heroine. Predators will be apprehensive of the legal consequences,” she said.