Now, actress Varalaxmi exposes sexual harassment, exploitation in film industry

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February 21, 2017

Days after a noted Malayalam actress' abduction hit the headlines, a Tamil actress has spoken out about being propositioned by an executive at a TV channel. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar posted an extensive message on her social media account on Monday, 20 February, in which she described the incident. She captioned her post, "Needs to be said."

varalxmi

She said that she had been in a meeting with the executive, at the end of which he made a pass at her. "I was in a meeting with the programming head of a TV channel for half an hour, at the end of which he said, 'So...when can we meet outside?' I asked him, 'Regarding some other work?' He replied (with a smug smile, as is the norm) 'No, for other things.' I hid my shock and anger and told him, 'Please leave'. He said, 'So — that's all?' and smiled and walked away."

Varalaxmi said that this was not an isolated incident but indicative of a mindset that assumed actresses were sexually available. She wrote that a reaction she had often come across was, 'You knew the film industry was like this when you joined. Why complain now?' "But I didn't join the industry to be treated like a piece of meat or follow the same practices of exploitation (that other women had been subjected to)," Varalaxmi wrote. "I love acting. I work hard and it's my profession of choice... my options should not be to 'either put up with it or quit'."

The actress also said that this kind of harassment was faced by women across the board — no matter which industry they worked in, or which socioeconomic strata they belonged to. She said, "Instead of telling women how to dress...or behave, how about we asked men to stop thinking with their genitals, and treat women like free, capable, equal human beings?" "Our education is failing us...We need to act now, or safety for women will be just a dream," she added.

Read the full text of Varalaxmi's post:

varalaxmi

Just a day before she put up this post, Varalaxmi had shared a message of support for the Malayali actress who was abducted and assaulted, asking for strong action against the culprits.

The Malayalam film industry has universally condemned the attack on the actress, who was attacked by a gang of men while she was travelling in her car with a driver. The men drove the actress' car around for a couple of hours while they took photos and videos of the actress, allegedly with the intent to blackmail her. They left her vehicle at a busy junction, after which the actress drove herself to a producer's home and asked for help. The police believe a driver employed by the actress may have been in connivance with the attackers.

There was also some conjecture that the actress' strained relations with a leading Malayalam actor may have been the motive for the attack.

As support for the Malayan actress poured in over the weekend, Varalaxmi too was lauded for being courageous and speaking out against harassment.

Actor-turned product designer Lekha Washington was among those who tweeted out messages of support for Varalaxmi. "Thank you Varalaxmi," Washington wrote. "1000 percent agree with you (sic)."

Comments

shaji
 - 
Wednesday, 22 Feb 2017

Sex in film industry is not a surprise. It is not less than a brothel. film industry people are common for free sex and they dont wont worry if any of their family membeer have sex with another person / lady. They live like western people who have no belief in marital life. It is unfortunate that many of our female members are attracted by the shining industry and lose their virginity. Everyone knows that Sunny leone is a sex worker and had many blue films. She is now one of the most respected lady in our film industry. They treat her like a goddess.

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News Network
March 26,2024

Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained two suspects in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Bengaluru, sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The preliminary probe has revealed that the two suspects were in direct contact with the suspected bomber.

The NIA sleuths have picked up the suspects from an area in the state capital. However, a statement is yet to be made by the NIA in this regard.

Even as the investigating agencies, both NIA and state special wing CCB teams have launched an extensive search operation in various states, the bomber has remained elusive. The authorities had obtained the bomber’s images and videos from CCTV footage on March 1, soon after the incident.

Sources said that the sleuths were suspecting that the bomber had come from Tamil Nadu and was staying in a neighbouring state for two months before carrying out the blast.

The hair samples of the accused were gathered from the hat of the accused which he abandoned in Bengaluru near a religious place. The authorities have sent the samples for the DNA testing and were hoping for a breakthrough.

The Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast took place on March 1 on the International Technology Park Limited (ITPL) road in the Brookfield area. Low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used to carry out the blast and nine persons were injured in the incident.

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News Network
March 21,2024

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Mangaluru: A man from Dakshina Kannada was duped of Rs 2.5 lakh after he was promised a Poland visa.

In a complaint, a resident of Belthangady, stated that the accused, Manoj, had promised a job for his son in Poland. 

Between May 22 of last year and March 19, he handed over Rs 2.2 lakh in various phases, citing different reasons.

However, since the accused failed to provide a visa or return the money, a case was registered at the Dharmasthala police station under IPC sections 417 and 420.

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News Network
March 19,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 19: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the Congress will split in three months after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and its impact will be visible on the Siddaramaiah-led state government.

"Due to internal squabbles, the state government will not last long," the BJP leader said.

Talking to reporters on Monday, he said the sitting MP from the Gadag-Haveri constituency, Shivakumar Udasi, has done a lot of development work and implemented the Central government's schemes effectively.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely become the PM for the third time. The overall response has been good in the Gadag-Haveri Lok Sabha constituency," the former Karnataka chief minister said.

Asked if he was contesting the election in a half-hearted manner in the Gadag-Haveri seat, Bommai said "such a question does not arise when the party's high command gives instructions".

He said he would respect his opponent and not take anyone lightly. 

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