Radhika Sarathkumar, a respected veteran actress, has recently spoken out about the serious issues of harassment and invasion of privacy faced by female actors in the Malayalam film industry. In a candid interview with a Malayalam news channel, she expressed her disappointment and concern over the prevalence of hidden cameras and the lack of safety measures on film sets.
Radhika revealed a disturbing incident where she discovered a hidden camera in a trailer where an actress was changing clothes. “I have witnessed this before. I have seen videos of women changing clothes in trailers,” she said, highlighting the severity of the invasion of privacy. Without disclosing the specific video or who viewed it, Radhika shared her anger and frustration over the incident, stating, “I was furious. I wanted to be safe and decided not to use the caravan. Instead, I went back to my room.”
She emphasized the need for female actors to be vigilant about their safety, noting that the responsibility often unfairly falls on the victims themselves. “So now the responsibility falls on women. They need to take responsibility for protecting themselves,” she said. Radhika also pointed out that harassment and abuse are not confined to the film industry but are prevalent in other sectors as well.
The issue of safety and harassment in the film industry has recently gained attention following the Justice Commission’s report on August 19. The report led to the Kerala government’s decision to establish a special team to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against women actors. Radhika recounted a troubling experience on a Kerala film set where she saw people watching a video of an actress changing clothes. “I was told that if I just typed in the artist’s name, a video of them changing clothes would pop up. I saw the video,” she said. When asked to provide more details, she declined, citing fear of retribution.
Following this incident, Radhika became more cautious, opting to change clothes in her hotel room instead of using on-set trailers. She underscored the need for secure private spaces for actors to change, rest, or eat without fearing privacy violations. “The system is wrong. After the incident, I was too scared to go into my car to take pictures,” she explained, revealing the trauma and fear she experienced.
Radhika’s testimony sheds light on the pervasive culture of harassment in the industry and calls for immediate action to protect women. She shared that she had informed another actress about the hidden camera and had confronted the crew about it. “I confronted the crew and told them this is not right,” she recalled, threatening to take action if she found more hidden cameras.
Her courageous stance has brought much-needed attention to the urgent need for better safety measures and a safer working environment for women in the film industry. Her statements underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues that enable such abuses, urging industry leaders and authorities to prioritize creating a secure and respectful environment for all.
By speaking out, Radhika Sarathkumar has highlighted the critical need for change and the importance of safeguarding the rights and privacy of female actors. Her call to action is a reminder of the responsibility of everyone in the industry to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.
