Me Too: Producer Kumar Mangat introduces first-of-its-kind 'no harassment' forms for aspiring actors
The #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment, which began in the US entertainment industry, gained traction in India after Bollywood's Tanushree Dutta, in September, accused a veteran actor of sexually harassing her on a movie set a decade ago. In the latest development, production houses have started to introduce what is now known as Metoo complaint audition experience for all freshers who are auditioning for a production house.
The contract requires a fresher to describe her experience and confirm whether she was comfortable during the entire auditioning experience.
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has implemented a new system in his production house Panorama Studios — after their auditions, aspiring actors can fill out a specially designed feedback form where they can complain about untoward sexual advances during auditions, if any, according to Mid-day report.
As per the system, after their auditions, aspiring actors can fill out a specially designed feedback form where they can complain about untoward sexual advances during auditions if any.
An actor, who recently auditioned for a film at Pathak's office, told the leading daily"After the audition was over, the associate handed me a form, where I was required to write my name and photo ID details, along with my feedback on the experience I had during the session. It also has a note to assure the producers that I was safe during the audition, and wasn't mistreated or harassed by anyone."
Stressing on the need to create a safe environment at work, Pathak also said "Firstly, we ensure that the auditions take place in our office premises. We have installed CCTV cameras in the audition rooms. Post this, we hand the aspiring actor a document to take it in writing that his/her experience wasn't an unpleasant one. If someone raises a red flag, we have a redressal committee [a 10-member team with a legal POSH expert on board] that will address the complaint within a fortnight. It has been two months since we implemented this."
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