Malayalam actor Swasika draws flak for her statements #MeToo, Women in Cinema collective

Express News Service

Actor Swasika, recently seen in Chathuram, has been drawing flak for her statement on WCC, #MeToo, pay parity, and safety concerns in the Malayalam film industry. 

In a recent interaction with a media outlet, Swasika was asked about her view on the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). “I don’t think we need organisations like WCC in the industry,” she said. 

WCC was formed by female artists and technicians from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rima Kallingal, Geethu Mohandas, and editor Bina Paul, in the aftermath of the 2017 female actor abduction and sexual assault incident.

Stating that the film industry is safe, Swasika said, “I don’t think anyone will be forcefully raped in this industry. I don’t think we need organisations like WCC. If something happens, I will react immediately and come off. We should teach women to say no. And why would they go to WCC? They can inform the police, Vanitha Commission or parents.”

She further questioned if there will be any immediate remedy if someone reports to WCC. “I think women should react immediately when something goes wrong. Instead, coming back with a complaint after 3 or 4 years in the name of #MeToo does not make sense,” she added. 

While actors like Aparna Balamurali and Aishwarya Lekshmi have been vocal about their views on pay parity in the industry, Swasika said that producers only pay a huge amount to stars who lead the film and are crowd-pullers. She added that it is unfair to ask for more pay when the actor does not play a pivotal role.

Following this, many social media users spoke in support of WCC and highlighted their continuous contribution to making this industry a better place for women. It may be noted that the Kerala High Court ordered film production houses in the Malayalam industry to form an internal complaints committee (ICC) as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) PoSH Act, 2013. 

The Kerala HC passed an order following the PIL filed by the WCC, demanding the establishment of a grievance redressal cell in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and other film bodies in the industry. 

WCC members Parvathy, Rima and a few other well-wishers shared a picture of the Kerala HC order. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Anna Ben, who is shooting for her upcoming film Anchu Centum Seleenayum, revealed that the makers formed Internal Complaint Cell, and she is heading it as a presiding officer. She also wrote, “WCC making it safe at our workplace.”

(With online desk inputs)

(The story originally appeared on cinemaexpress.com)

<br /> Actor Swasika, recently seen in Chathuram, has been drawing flak for her statement on WCC, #MeToo, pay parity, and safety concerns in the Malayalam film industry. </p> <p>In a recent interaction with a media outlet, Swasika was asked about her view on the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). “I don’t think we need organisations like WCC in the industry,” she said. </p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad241053 " id="quads-ad241053" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="3250057321"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>WCC was formed by female artists and technicians from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rima Kallingal, Geethu Mohandas, and editor Bina Paul, in the aftermath of the 2017 female actor abduction and sexual assault incident.</p> <p>Stating that the film industry is safe, Swasika said, “I don’t think anyone will be forcefully raped in this industry. I don’t think we need organisations like WCC. If something happens, I will react immediately and come off. We should teach women to say no. And why would they go to WCC? They can inform the police, Vanitha Commission or parents.”</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad241053 " id="quads-ad241053" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="3250057321"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>She further questioned if there will be any immediate remedy if someone reports to WCC. “I think women should react immediately when something goes wrong. Instead, coming back with a complaint after 3 or 4 years in the name of #MeToo does not make sense,” she added. </p> <p>While actors like Aparna Balamurali and Aishwarya Lekshmi have been vocal about their views on pay parity in the industry, Swasika said that producers only pay a huge amount to stars who lead the film and are crowd-pullers. She added that it is unfair to ask for more pay when the actor does not play a pivotal role.</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad241053 " id="quads-ad241053" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="3250057321"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>Following this, many social media users spoke in support of WCC and highlighted their continuous contribution to making this industry a better place for women. It may be noted that the Kerala High Court ordered film production houses in the Malayalam industry to form an internal complaints committee (ICC) as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) PoSH Act, 2013. </p> <p>The Kerala HC passed an order following the PIL filed by the WCC, demanding the establishment of a grievance redressal cell in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and other film bodies in the industry. </p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad241053 " id="quads-ad241053" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="3250057321"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>WCC members Parvathy, Rima and a few other well-wishers shared a picture of the Kerala HC order. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Anna Ben, who is shooting for her upcoming film Anchu Centum Seleenayum, revealed that the makers formed Internal Complaint Cell, and she is heading it as a presiding officer. She also wrote, “WCC making it safe at our workplace.”</p> <p>(With online desk inputs)</p> <!-- WP QUADS Content Ad Plugin v. 2.0.85 --> <div class="quads-location quads-ad241053 " id="quads-ad241053" style="float:none;margin:0px 3px 3px 3px;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-lazydelay="0"> <!-- WP QUADS - Quick AdSense Reloaded v.2.0.85 Content AdSense async --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block;" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7550963679842137" data-ad-slot="3250057321"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script> <!-- end WP QUADS --> </div> <p>(The story originally appeared on cinemaexpress.com)<br />