The Internet as also the media saw a rapid unravelling regarding Hollywood producer-distributor Harvey Weinstein after which the entertainment world, especially in the west saw many entertainers come out and speak about their personal experiences regarding the matter. And while Hollywood has woken up in a big way to talking about the matter, Bollywood still remains tight-lipped about the most of it. But today, we've got Swara Bhasker who has much to say.
The actress speaks about her personal experience being harassed by a drunk filmmaker and she also states that breaking the 'code of silence' is extremely important. When asked about her personal experience being harassed, she said, "I’ve been propositioned by men who were in a position to cast me. I lost a few roles because I didn’t give in. It made me vulnerable, nervous. Some people even stopped responding to my messages because they knew I would not give in. Being an articulate, educated girl they sensed that I would not take things lying down".
She added, "When I was still fairly new, the director harassed me with texts and dinner invites. He stalked me during the day and called me through the night. I was asked to go to his hotel room on the pretext of discussing the scene and would find him drinking. During the first week itself, he started talking about love and sex and one night, arrived in my room, drunk, and asked to be hugged. It was scary!"
When the actress was asked which was the best way to deal with the harassment on set she said, “Lose the part but don’t get on the couch. It’s not a feminist choice and it’s certainly not a liberating choice. It’s like giving a bribe and that is succumbing to a wrong".
On the matter of speaking up, she said, “We need to stop silencing and start sharing. We need to stop slut-shaming and ask for a collective platform to deal with this issue. We are all guilty of being in the know and remaining silent. And that is complicity”.
