Popular Malayalam actor Prithviraj on Saturday announced on Facebook about the courageous return of the actress who was sexually assaulted a few days ago to the sets of a film she is shooting.
The actor also apologised for playing misogynistic roles in his past films.
Prithviraj in his public post, 'Courage', has perhaps for the first ever time for actors, publicly apologised for having misogynistic dialogues in his movies. He also promised that he will never again allow women to be disrespected in his films.
“I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self-respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued,” read his Facebook post this morning.
The actor also urged people to stand up and applaud for the actress. He says she chose to step out and work, despite her ordeal, setting an example to many and ‘light(ing) a torch that will show a path for many to follow’.
The Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi last week on the night of February 17.
Prime accused Pulsar Suni and others have been arrested on Thursday.
Here is the full post:
COURAGE
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Some of the most poignant moments in my life have been punctuated with moments of incredible courage. Courage from what I have now fully realised are God's most benevolent yet intricate creations. WOMEN!
From a mother picking up pieces of a suddenly derailed life, to bring up two young boys to be the men they are today..to a wife who at the fag end of a 40 hour labour, just as she was being cut open without an anaesthetic, holding my hand and telling me "It's alright Prithvi"..I have repeatedly been dumbfounded in realising how much of a lesser being I am in the company of the women in my life.
And today..as my dear friend walks in to the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film (*film name withheld to protect identity of actress*), I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today..she makes a statement..a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend..are making in a million unheard voices!
And to those voices I apologise..for at an age and time when I wasn't wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes..I'm an actor and this is my craft! I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses...but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen.
Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her! Behind the gutsy spunk, there is a vulnerable celebrity who knew well enough what this decision of hers would mean to a life under constant scrutiny. But she also knew..that she had to see it through...for that would set an example..light a torch that will show a path for many to follow!Today she makes a statement..
A statement of extraordinary courage!
Fanboy for life...dear friend..fanboy for life!
Love always,
Prithvi.