Swasika Vijay’s latest comments on #MeToo, WCC, and whether the Malayalam movie industry is a safe workplace draw flak

Swasika Vijay has been making headlines recently for her film ‘Chathuram’ directed by Sidharth Bharathan. The actress has now landed into controversy for her latest statements on #MeToo, how safe the movie industry is as a workplace, and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). In a recent interview, currently streaming on a popular video-sharing platform, Swasika stated that the Malayalam movie industry is a safe place to work in.

Swasika stated that as in any other industry, casting couch exists in the Malayalam movie industry, however, nobody will force you to sleep with them. She also added that if a person says no to any such indecent approaches, no one will force them to do anything against their will.

When the interviewer asked her whether there is a need for WCC, Swasika stated that she doesn't know how the organization functions. She also added that if she is at the receiving end of any such unpleasant incident, she would react immediately and walk out of the set. Swasika also said that personally, she does not think an organisation is needed for that. She expressed that even if one approaches WCC or any other organization with a complaint, there is no guarantee that they will get justice, as the process takes time. She also asked why doesn’t one approach the police or Women’s commission during such instances, instead of WCC. The actress went on to add that women should build the courage to say no when required.

During the interview, Swasika also made a comment on the #MeToo movement, wherein the actress stated that she finds it illogical, when people put up with the abuse, complete the project, take the remuneration and make #MeToo allegations after say 4 years. She added that one should have the courage to say No, no matter how big of an opportunity it is, and walk out of the project.

Swasika’s recent statements are receiving flak from both industry insiders and audiences. Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu recently reshared a series of Instagram posts on her story, which emphasizes that having a safe working environment in the movie industry is not only dependent upon saying 'No'.

It should be noted that the public interest litigation filed by WCC led to Kerala High Court’s landmark judgment advising all film production units to form an internal complaints committee (ICC) as per the POSH - Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.