Female Filmmakers Issue Joint Statement About Not Working With Proven #MeToo Offenders

If you have any doubts whether India’s #MeToo movement is finally here or not, take a look at the number of women who have found the courage to come forth with their stories. The fallout of #MeToo is rather impactful too, with the several industries saying #TimesUp to proven offenders, and men in prominent positions being asked to step down because of allegations surfacing against them.

One such industry which has borne the maximum impact of #MeToo is the film industry. And many alleged offenders in Bollywood are finally getting their comeuppance.

With notices being sent to the likes of Alok Nath, Sajid Khan being asked to step down as director of Housefull 4, and Vikas Bahl being dropped from Super 30, it sure looks like the movement has made the preliminary impact that it intended to make.

In lieu of the allegations that have surfaced, female filmmakers of Bollywood have risen in solidarity with the survivors. They’ve issued a joint statement supporting the #MeToo survivors and refusing to work with proven offenders.

These include Zoya Akhtar, Meghna Gulzar, Kiran Rao, Gauri Shinde (English Vinglish), Nandita Das, Alankrita Shrivastava (Lipstick Under My Burkha), Konkona Sen Sharma, Ruchi Narain (Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi), Shonali Bose (The Sky Is Pink), Nitya Mehra (Baar Baar Dekho) and Reema Kagti (Gold).

View this post on Instagram

#MeToo #MeTooIndia

A post shared by Meghna Gulzar (@meghnagulzar) on Oct 13, 2018 at 10:16pm PDT

They’ve also urged their peers to do the same.

The Producers Guild of India has also convened a committee to address sexual harassment at the workplace within the industry.

It is rather disappointing that one of the biggest movie industries in the world, the Indian film industry, does not have such a critical provision for its employees. However, with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum, at least one segment of it, Bollywood, has taken the first step towards correcting this grave error.

Statement from the Producer’s Guild of India. pic.twitter.com/AY0SAFmc8S

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) October 11, 2018

The Editors Guild of India has also issued a statement condemning the sexual harassment incidents that have surfaced, and called upon media organisations to institute necessary inquiries and action against offenders.

Editors Guild of India issues a statement on 'incidents of sexual harassment on women journalists by male colleagues'; states 'It calls upon media orgs to hold unbiased inquiries into all reported cases. Anybody found guilty of sexual harassment/assault should be punished' #MeToo pic.twitter.com/RO1xpwy450

— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018

Strong steps such as these play a huge role in strengthening the #MeToo movement and keeping it going. When industry leaders show solidarity and ensure support, more and more women are likely to come forth and out offenders.