On Saturday, Kannada actor Sruthi Hariharan narrated her own #MeToo story by releasing a statement against actor-director Arjun Sarja’s unprofessional behaviour on the sets of bilingual film Vismaya. Now, Munirathna, president, Producers Association, has given Sruthi seven days to provide proof to support her allegations. Chinne Gowda, president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), said that action will only be taken if complaints are directly filed, as,“Statements on social media cannot be considered.”
Talking to City Express, Sruthi said that cases of sexual harassment and a casting couch have always been pushed under the carpet, and are now part of a system where it is okay to take away a woman’s personal space in the name of power. Excerpts from her interview with us:
What stopped you from speaking about the incidents when it happened?
The Telugu version of Vismaya just released two months ago. Unlike other heroines, who took five to 10, or even 20 years to talk about their incidents, it has taken just few months for me to speak up. Secondly, it is my choice to talk about it, when I want to and nobody can question me about that.
How do you feel after coming out with your story?
The #MeToo movement has made women stronger and many are coming forward with their stories, and they are feeling safer after coming out with their stories. Like them, I’m also feeling safe after talking about it. The movement helps to reassess power. Men and women should think before crossing lines, which are, very thin.
Did you try telling Arjun Sarja that he was wrong during shooting for Vismaya?
I didn’t have the guts, but I did express my displeasure to the direction department.
How has your family reacted?
My family loves me and only wish the best for me. They will always stand by me, irrespective of my decisions. They know that more women will come out stronger and speak up, now or after 10 years, it doesn’t matter. This is about making the entire industry, country and world safer for women.
You had spoken about casting couch earlier, and now you’ve come forward with another experience...
I will continue to talk about what is wrong. Tomorrow, I might come out with another experience, and it is my choice when. But when I say something, I speak the truth.
How can speaking about issues like this affect an actor’s career?
I have been vocal about these issues and it doesn’t seem to have affected my career. Whatever happens in the future, I will take responsibility for it and face the consequences. I believe that a director who wants to cast me, will base his/her decision on my performance and always stand by me. I have worked with top actors such as Darshan, Upendra and Sudeep among others, and I have had wonderful experiences. I respect them, and hope they stand by me.
Shraddha shows support
Lending her support to Sruthi Hariharan, actor Shraddha Srinath took to Twitter and posted, “I have known about this incident since November 2016, when @sruthihariharan and I attended a talk show together and the talk of casting couch and other related topics came up. Shruti didn’t take names that day but off camera she told us what happened.”
“I’m sorry you went through what you did, Shru. Nobody should feel uncomfortable at their work place, and nobody should be in a position to make someone feel uncomfortable,” she wrote, while also sharing her own #MeToo story while travelling by bus from Bengaluru to Kochi. Actor Prakash Raj also came out in support of Sruthi.
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