Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a prominent actress in the Telugu film industry, has voiced her strong support for the Hema Committee report, which has brought to light the prevalent issue of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. The report, compiled by the Justice Hema Committee, revealed a culture of abuse within the industry, with several actors, directors, and producers named as perpetrators.
Following the release of the report, Samantha has called upon the Telangana government to release a similar report focusing on the Telugu film industry, known as Tollywood. She believes that such a report is crucial to establish a safer working environment for women in the industry. Samantha, in a statement posted on her Instagram story, praised the efforts of the Women’s Collective Kerala (WCC) for their groundbreaking work in bringing the issue of sexual harassment to the forefront.
The Hema Committee report has sparked a significant debate in Kerala, leading to mass resignations from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), including actor Mohanlal. The report also implicated a two-time CPI(M) MLA, Mukesh, in allegations of abuse, causing a major political stir.
Samantha’s call for a similar report in Tollywood has been echoed by other actors in the Bengali film industry, who have also reported experiencing abuse. Actress Ritabhari Chakraborty, in a powerful statement, called the Bengali film industry a ‘sugar-coated brothel’ and urged the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to initiate a similar investigation.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s recent film ‘Kushi’ alongside Vijay Deverakonda has been well-received. She is currently working on several upcoming projects, including ‘Bangaram’ and ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ with Varun Dhawan, set to premiere in November. Her advocacy for safer working environments in the film industry highlights her commitment to addressing important social issues.
