Ranjini
Haridas
Speaks
Out
On
Sexual
Exploitation
In
Malayalam
Film
Industry:
Following
the
release
of
the
Hema
Committee
report,
which
has
exposed
widespread
issues
of
sexual
exploitation
within
the
Malayalam
film
industry,
several
prominent
celebrities
have
bravely
come
forward
to
share
their
personal
experiences.
Among
the
latest
to
speak
out
is
well-known
television
anchor
Ranjini
Haridas,
who
has
revealed
her
own
encounters
with
harassment.

In
an
interview
with
News
18
Malayalam,
Haridas
recounted
an
unsettling
incident
involving
a
prominant
actor.
According
to
Haridas,
the
actor
had
sent
her
a
shirtless
photo
and
requested
that
she
reciprocate
by
sending
her
own
photo.
“Why
is
he
sending
such
photos?
What
is
the
intention
behind
it?” Haridas
questioned.
She
noted
that
she
had
responded
by
stating
that
the
actor
had
approached
the
wrong
person.
However,
Haridas
chose
not
to
reveal
the
actor’s
identity
as
she
lacked
concrete
evidence.
She
mentioned
that
her
firm
response
had
put
an
end
to
the
issue
at
the
time.

Ranjini
Haridas
emphasized
the
challenges
of
navigating
the
film
industry,
which
she
described
as
glittery
and
attractive
due
to
its
allure
of
fame,
power,
and
money.
She
remarked
on
how
difficult
it
is
for
many
to
refuse
such
advances,
especially
for
those
who
are
financially
vulnerable.
“I
personally
feel
that
those
who
are
financially
backward
fall
into
this
trap.
If
we
come
from
privilege,
we
don’t
need
any
of
this,” Haridas
explained.
She
suggested
that
if
a
person’s
parents
were
well-known
figures
in
cinema,
they
would
not
face
such
problems.
Haridas
also
criticized
the
notion
that
people
should
leave
the
industry
if
they
cannot
handle
such
exploitation,
questioning
why
they
should
be
forced
to
change
fields.

The
anchor
voiced
her
discontent
with
the
systemic
nature
of
exploitation
in
the
industry,
stating,
“This
is
exploitation.
Why
should
we
have
to
teach
women
to
say
‘no’
to
such
matters?
What
needs
to
change
is
the
situation
itself
in
the
first
place.” She
challenged
the
perspective
that
women
should
leave
the
industry
if
they
are
subjected
to
harassment,
asserting
that
this
mindset
only
shifts
the
burden
onto
the
victims.

Ranjini
Haridas
Calls
For
Top
Actresses
To
Speak
Out
On
Sexual
Exploitation

Ranjini
Haridas
expressed
that
she
was
not
surprised
by
the
recent
sexual
harassment
cases
involving
major
actors.
She
described
these
revelations
as
part
of
long-standing
issues
within
the
industry,
while
the
big
players
have
been
spared.
She
added
that
the
revelations
should
come
from
prominent
actresses
who
have
faced
sexual
exploitation,
not
just
junior
artists.
Ranjini
openly
criticized
that
the
fear
of
career
damage
is
what
keeps
many
prominent
actresses
silent.

In
addition
to
her
personal
experiences,
Haridas
highlighted
the
pervasive
nature
of
sexual
exploitation
in
other
areas,
such
as
inauguration
events
and
modeling.
She
recalled
an
incident
during
a
photo
shoot
in
Kannur
where
she
had
experienced
similar
exploitation
and
responded
strongly
at
that
time.
Haridas
also
pointed
out
that
young
artists,
including
men,
are
also
victims
of
sexual
harassment
in
the
industry.

In
the
wake
of
the
Hema
Committee
report,
allegations
have
surfaced
against
several
prominent
actors,
including
Mukesh,
Siddique,
Maniyan
Pilla
Raju,
Idavela
Babu,
and
Jayasurya.
Women
who
have
made
these
allegations
are
pursuing
legal
action,
with
Mukesh
recently
being
granted
anticipatory
bail
in
connection
with
the
case.
The
ongoing
scrutiny
and
legal
proceedings
underscore
the
urgent
need
for
reform
and
accountability
within
the
Malayalam
film
industry.