Actress Radhika Apte feels that sexual abuse is not just limited to the world of showbiz.
“Sexual abuse takes place in every alternate household. So it’s not a part of just the film industry. You have child abuse, domestic abuse [cases] everywhere in the world, including [in] India,” Apte says.
And sexual abuse does not target women alone, she adds.
“It’s also towards men, little boys and everybody. People exploit their power at every level.”
Talk about the need to bring about a change, she continues: “I think it starts from us putting our foot down and saying ‘no’ to things, however big your ambition is. You need to be brave about it, believe in your own talent, say ‘no’ and start speaking up because if one person speaks up, nobody is going to listen to him or her. But if 10 people do, then others would (listen to them).”
The “Phobia” actress, who will be seen mentoring budding filmmakers in MTV’s upcoming digital show “Fame-istan”, says there has to be a more organised platform for people to work.
“There has to be more professional platforms, as well as rules in place which is slowly happening,” she continues.
But why are no names taken in the case of casting couch in Bollywood?
“Because of fear, because people who have great ambitions are afraid. They think of what will happen to them if they take somebody’s name who has so much power. That’s what I am saying. Everybody has to speak up,” she adds.
