Kalki Koechlin says there are women who face sexual abuse in the film industry but people often turn a blind eye to them as they are not famous or successful.
Recently, Hollywood witnessed the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which has put the spotlight on abuse in the entertainment industry.
“I don’t think we provide an environment to our women to speak up about sexual abuse,” Koechlin said. “We only listen to people once they are successful or famous. There are a lot of women who are at the struggling stages of their career who talk about these things but no one will listen to their story.”
Weinstein has been in news following a New York Times and New Yorker report of his alleged sexual misconduct. More than 50 women including Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lupita Nyong’o and Kate Beckinsale have detailed their encounters with the disgraced Hollywood producer.
“We are harping on the Harvey Weinstein issue which happened in LA while we have our own issues — the incidents at High Spirits in Pune, or the TVF incident,” she said, referring to alleged harassment by bar owner Khodu Irani, and TVF’s CEO Arunabh Kumar, who was accused of molesting a woman.
“You hear about these things for half a day and then it is gone. We need to take responsibility for our own stories. I feel it’s about time we start listening to them,” she said.
Recently, actor Irrfan Khan said that things are not that different in Bollywood.
“I don’t think anyone will dare to try and do anything with me. But there is mental coercion, text messages at 2am, that kind of things happen sometimes.
“I am glad that Irrfan talked about it because this happens to men as well. It is a power game. Those in power taking advantage of those less in power. It happens in the other industries too and not just Bollywood,” she adds.
Koechlin will be next seen in Ribbon, which also stars Sumeet Vyas. The film, directed by Rakhee Sandilya, is scheduled to release in India on November 3.
