Shraddha Srinath opens up on Hema Committee; says, “We need a structured body that looks into this”

Shraddha, a Malayalam actress, feels safe in the industry but acknowledges others may be struggling with harassment. She highlights the need for better systems to address abuse.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

September 14, 2024 - 4:58 PM IST

Kannada actor Shraddha Srinath attended the India Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit 2024 in Bengaluru on Saturday, September 14. During the event, she discussed her film career and her commitment to sustainable living. She also addressed the Hema Committee report, which stirred the Malayalam film industry by revealing numerous instances of discrimination and sexual abuse against women.

Shraddha Srinath opens up on Hema Committee; says, “We need a structured body that looks into this”

Shraddha, who has worked in the Malayalam film industry, acknowledged that while she has never personally faced harassment in the industry, she recognizes the urgent need for better-established systems to address systemic abuse. She said, “I felt safe. I have felt unsafe outside my working space instead, like while getting home from a party or constantly thinking about where my driver is looking. And I have felt this way since I was an eight-year-old. I have been lucky that I didn't have to face anything in the industry. That doesn't mean that others are not struggling.”

Shraddha emphasised the importance of having adequate sanitation facilities for women on film sets. She shared, “Things are difficult. If you are going through something, you don't know whom to speak to. And sometimes, by the time you speak, it's quite late. We need a structured body that looks into this (harassment). Small changes would help too. Something as simple as a saree draper or a hair stylist, there are no proper toilets on sets for them. Such basic changes will help. People should listen to this and be a part of the conversation.”

The actor, recognized for her roles in films such as U-Turn, Vikram Vedha, Nerkonda Paarvai, Jersey, and Irugapatru, expressed a desire to participate in more female-centric films. During her talk, Shraddha noted that the industry lacks many films that focus on women's relationships and bonding.

She stated that she admires the work of actors Alia Bhatt and Parvathy Thiruvothu and would like to collaborate with them in the future. She added, “I really admire Parvathy, Alia. I feel they don't write a lot of films where women act together. I would like to see female friendships and road trips in cinema. On the hero front, I am just greedy. I am not going to name anyone, I want to work with all of them.”

Shraddha was recently featured in Letters to Mr Khanna, a Hindi coming-of-age film centered on the relationship between a mother and her son, which premiered on Lionsgate Play. The film also starred Neetu Kapoor and Sunny Kaushal in key roles.

Also Read : Neetu Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal and Shraddha Srinath to star in Lionsgate India Studios’ first feature film