Actor Vishal Krishna came out in support of the #MeToo movement. The actor has said that a committee will be formed by the Tamil Film Producers’ Council to address complaints of sexual harassment and abuse within the film industry.
It's time, Women in our industry speak up & I wil stand by them. Wil form a committee to protect them
I totally respect @Chinmayi #TanuShreDuta & others. Women should inform us as soon as such incidents happen. @Amala_ams informed 1 such incident & we helped her. #MeToo #TimesUp
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) October 14, 2018
Krishna is the secretary of the Nadigar Sangam and also serves as the President of the Tamil Film Producer’s Council. Many activists urged Vishal to support the #MeToo movement in light of harassment allegations against actor Radha Ravi, lyricist Vairamuthu and singer Karthik. Actor Siddharth recently posted on his social media account about the lack of support from the film industry for singer Chinmayi, who accused Vairamuthu of harassment earlier this month.
At a promotional event for his upcoming Sandakozhi 2, actor Vishal said:
“Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) is forming a three member committee in all the associations like Nadigar Sangam, FEFSI, Film Chamber. We are forming a women’s council to ensure the safety of women in the industry. We will make sure that the victim gets justice. From junior artistes to leading actors, everybody will be treated the same.”
Vishal also said that the committee will ensure that the victim’s issues are addressed as soon as possible. “Whatever happens the judgement must not be delayed. It should be addressed immediately. If people tell us about the harassment or abuse meted out to them immediately, then the action will also be taken immediately,” he added.
The actor said that it was not good practice to cast a shadow of doubt over the revelations made as past of the ongoing #MeToo movement on social media. “Let us not doubt people who have made these revelations. I totally understand the sentiments of Chinmayi, Sandhya Menon and everyone including Tanushree Dutta. Everyone has come forward and made a complaint.”
Victims must lodge a complaint as soon as possible so that effective action can be taken, Vishal said. I just have one request. If something happens tell us immediately so that we can make sure that it will not happen. Earlier actress Amala Paul had immediately called us and complained saying that a guy misbehaved to her during a dance rehearsal and we helped her in arresting the accused.”
“Women should boldly come out and talk about the issue without any fear. According to Section 201, it is a crime to be silent or hide a crime. I am not saying that what Chinmayi has done is a crime. I am only saying that if someone tells us about the issue as soon as possible, we will ensure that justice prevails.” he added
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Vishal was asked about the course of action that the Nadigar Sangam and the TFPC will take against lyricist Vairamuthu. “We can’t just simply say that we are not going to cooperate with him. There is a law governing over these things. We are simply an organisation that has to ultimately abide by the law. Till the accusations against him are proven, we have to give him the benefit of doubt. But, when it is proven, then, ofcourse, we will not stay quiet.”
The actor also offered his complete support to victims of sexual harassment and abuse in the film industry. “I have many friends in the film industry. I have many women friends. So, in my capacity as actor and the general secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, I will support anybody who faces this problem.”