Sandalwood fraterntiy reacts to recommendation of POSH guidelines

Tharanooradha Venu, artiste and politico
I have been in the industry for so many years and have never experienced any sexual exploitation. But that doesn’t mean somebody else may not have faced it. In keeping with the recent developments, I would really like our government to officially declare us as an industry. With this official status, all the mandatory facilities to govern such a body will be duly accorded to us. Then we need not worry about formulating a new one.


Kavitha Lankesh, chairperson FIRE and director
What I noticed foremost in yesterday’s meet was how the issue kept getting diverted every time a woman rose to speak about this matter. And why are the men so fearful when we have met up to speak about the welfare of womankind? But definitely, this is a placating moment for FIRE because at least our fight has a reached a point where some positive steps are being considered for the safety of women. This includes the setting up of a POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) committee and a confidential survey amongst women in the industry on any misconduct or problems they may have faced.


Bhavana Ramanna, artiste & producer
I find structural issues in whatever transpired at the meeting. Firstly, FIRE is a registered trust and an independent body, thus it gives them all the right to form whatever committee they want to on their own. They need not step out of the umbrella of the film chamber and approach a government body to intervene in this regard. Nobody has stopped them from creating such a committee on their own too.

What also needs to be noted is that while the film chamber, artistes association, directors association and other associations come under labour act and have unions of their own. They have their own by-laws, so I’m wondering what prompted the women’s commission to be there?

And if a woman complains of some misconduct on set and makes the producer party to it and there is a litigation, who will pay for the losses? They also have suggested a formation of a committee that will visit all the sets to keep tabs on the activities. My question is there are over 350 films being shot. How feasible is this move?
Lastly, if a girl faces any kind of harassment, I will say speak up at that very moment and confide in someone you trust and take it forward through the right channel.


NM Suresh, president, Karnataka film chamber
I feel the way we respect our women cannot be compared to any other industry. We give them utmost preference and ensure their needs are met with. Please don’t compare us with the neighbouring industries and what’s happening there. As for incorporating the POSH act, we will think over it. If it’s feasible and permissibly under our by-laws, then we will look into it.



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