New Delhi: In a heartfelt statement, actor-turned-politician and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar has addressed the ongoing sexual assault allegations shaking the Malayalam film industry. Her comments come in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee Report, which has brought to light serious issues within the industry, including sexual harassment and gender bias.Khushbu Sundar salutes womens courageTaking to social media platform X, Sundar praised the women who have bravely come forward to share their experiences. She expressed admiration for their courage and criticized the systemic issues that lead to such harassment. Sundar highlighted that sexual harassment and coercion for career advancement are pervasive across various fields and lamented that women often face these challenges alone.💔 This moment of #MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious. ✊ The #HemaCommittee was much needed to break the abuse. But will itAbuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to…— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) August 28, 2024Personal reflection on empathy and supportSundar shared insights from a recent conversation with her daughters, aged 24 and 21, about the ongoing crisis. She was moved by their empathy and their firm support for the victims. “They firmly support them and stand with them at this juncture. It doesnt matter whether you speak today or tomorrow, just speak. Speaking up immediately would help in healing and investigating more effectively,” Sundar wrote.She emphasized the emotional toll of such violence, stating that it deeply affects both body and soul. Sundar stressed the importance of offering support and understanding to victims, and recognizing that not everyone has the privilege to speak out immediately.Reflecting on her own past, Sundar revealed that she was abused by her father at the age of eight. She acknowledged that she should have spoken up sooner but clarified that her abuse was not related to career advancement. “What happened to me was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused at the hands of the person who was supposed to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell,” she noted.In response to the Hema Committee report, which exposes significant issues within the Malayalam film industry, megastar Mohanlal has resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The report details problems such as sexual harassment, inadequate facilities, and pay disparities.
