Me Too Movement should not be reduced to male bashing, says director Shonali Bose
Me Too movement created a havoc in India with several women coming out to share their horrific sexual harassment encounters. Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta became the flag-bearer of the movement after she accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008. While she got support from some of the industry faces, several others questioned her silence for so many years. Filmmakers and a few actors too came forward in support of the movement saying they would not work with the persons who are proven guilty in sexual harassment cases.
Now, filmmaker Shonali Bose has come in support of the movement. While lauding the women for the courage they have shown by sharing their stories, Bose said that the #MeToo movement should not be reduced to male bashing. Speaking during the #MeToo panel discussion at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film festival, she said, "This movement should at no point become male bashing. It is not about men and women, it is about the patriarchy embedded in our society. I was in a prominent college in Delhi, I was sexually harassed in the auditorium and went up to the stage and said we were shutting down the festival as many faced it.
She further added, "The principal said I was going to be expelled from the college. It is about the ideology, like women being shamed as to how you project yourself, what you wear... It is not coming from men alone but women as well."
The filmmaker said the incident only made her realise, how women are judged for what they wear and how they appear. Shonali believes that cinema is the best way where one can break boundaries and smash stereotypes.
Bollywood actress Renuka Shahane was also a part of the session. The actress who has been vocal about her support for Me Too movement said she has worked with people whom she had admired.
"Most people can't separate art from the person. When I was a newbie I had to be alert always or build walls. I feel anybody who goes to a work situation there has to be mutually respected. When you are not shooting, you can't be judged and pounced on.” She further added that "It is unfortunate that these things happen. I have seen both the sides. Like there are women who are entering the industry with the thought that they are willing to do anything to get in here. The fact that there are women who don't want to do anything, they should be allowed to work in an environment that satisfies them as an actor.”
