Actors fear being judged for opening about sexual harassment: Taapsee
What's the story
"Pink" actor Taapsee Pannu says the reason why female actors have not called out sexual abusers in Hindi film industry is that they fear being judged and shamed. There are only a handful of Bollywood stars who have spoken about sexual harassment prevalent in the industry, without taking any names. "They think their ethics and characters will be questioned," she said.
Taboos attached
They find it a cheap way of publicity: Taapsee
Taapsee says she did not face any sexual harassment, otherwise she would've "probably helped voicing it". "I am aware of it because I hear from people but the same people probably aren't ready to openly talk about it because there are a lot of taboos attached to it," she said. Taapsee added they find it as a cheap way of publicity.
Insecurities
Many insecurities holding them back: Taapsee
The #MeToo campaign, which sparked off a movement in Hollywood late last year, is yet to arrive in Bollywood. "It's not who was wrong and right in that situation. They will look at the person with a doubt that 'you are exploiting this situation for your benefit'," Taapsee said. She added that such insecurities really haunt them and holds them back.
Action heroine
Big thing for outsiders to make an image in Bollywood
Over the years with her films such as "Baby" and "Naam Shabana", the actor has earned the image of an action heroine. At the launch of her short film "Nitishastra" today, Taapsee said she does not view the label negatively. "In this industry, for an outsider to have any image without any acting, off-camera is a big thing," she said.