Perhaps taking a cue from Mollywood’s Women in Cinema Collective and Tollywood’s Committee Against Sexual Harassment formed after Sri Reddy’s casting couch allegations, an all women body named South Indian Film Women’s Association (SIFWA) has been formed for the welfare of the women in Tamil film industry. Women assistants of ace filmmakers like Mani Ratnam, PC Sreeram, Mysshkin, Sasikumar, Selva raghavan and others have teamed up and with women members from all the 24 crafts of Tamil cinema.
“There are lot of issues, which women are facing in the film industry. There’s not even basic toilet facility on the sets or shooting locations for the women assistant directors, cinematographers and group dancers, those who wash the vessels.
There is payment disparity, denial of opportunities, sexual harassment directly or indirectly, no vehicle facility, no secured atmosphere, no health cover etc. We even work during our menstrual periods and there’s no concern about that.
That’s when we decided to start an independent organisation to self motivate, groom and grow ourselves,” says Geetha, treasurer of Sifwa says.
Earlier, we friends used to interact on what’s app group called ‘Directors Club’ and discuss. Suddenly this idea struck me and we took some time to give it shape, she adds.
Vaishali Subramanian, president of the association who had worked with cinematographer RD Rajashekar says, “As of now 80 members have registered with us. We have intimated to all the 24 crafts of the film industry and we expect more women assistants, junior artistes and others would join and support the cause. Our first priority is to make sure that make-shift toilets and a place to change clothes for women is ensured during shooting on outdoor locations. From the film industry many including Revathy, Rohini, PC Sreeram, Sathyaraj , Mysshkin, Pa Ranjith and others have congratulated us for the initiative and promised to support in our endeavour.”
Easwari, secretary, Sifwa, who has worked with Mysshkin for 5 years, feels that women are subjected to a lot of pressure in the film industry, especially those working in lower grade. “We are not getting independent work and some are underpaid as well. We are keeping track of the opportunities in new films and passing on the info to others to grab it if qualified. Even writers, costumers, lyricists, those who cook can register with us.” A representation is also being made with Tamil Film Producers Council, says Angel Samraj, vice president, who was with Mani Ratnam.
The association is to be symbolically launched on May Day in the city with several film personalities expected to attend, including P.C. Sreeram.
