After a spate of controversies, N. Shankar, a newly-appointed spokesperson of the Telugu Film Industry (TFI), made an announcement addressing the sexual harassment of women. He said that plans had been laid to promote the safety of women in the industry.
Mr Shankar said that 12 official spokespersons had been appointed from the industry to respond to any questions about the issue. He said that a panel against sexual harassment was also being set up. “Half the members of this panel are from outside the film industry. They are doctors, lawyers, retired government employees, educationists and psychologists,” he said. He added that they were in the process of seeking legal advice regarding the formation of the panel.
He said that three important rules were being implemented for the safety of women. “Firstly, according to Visakha guidelines (a set of procedural guidelines for use in India in cases of sexual harassment) everyone should come up with a CASH committee. Secondly, there must be separate washrooms and changing rooms for male and female artistes and dancers. And thirdly, all auditions must be held in the presence of at least one woman, and they should be recorded,” he said.
Mr Shankar announced that workshops would be conducted for women working in the industry in various capacities, as well as aspiring actors. “The industry will identify experienced coordinators and issue identity cards to them, so that aspiring actors do not fall into the hands of the wrong people,” he said.
Apart from N. Shankar and P. Kiran, spokespersons Nandini Reddy, Thammareddy Bharadwaj, Ramdas Naidu and Murali Mohan Rao also participated in the meeting held by TFI on Wednesday.
