Exclusive: Anupama Chopra On The Impact Of Me Too Movement On Bollywood, “There Is A Sense In Fear Now”
Well said!
The winds of change brought by the Me Too movement have swept across various industries all over the world, including Bollywood. Yet the question remains about how profound these changes have been within the entertainment and Bollywood industry. In a conversation with Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist, acclaimed film critic and journalist Anupama Chopra discussed the pre and post-Me Too Bollywood landscape.
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Anupama Chopra On Me Too Movement
Anupama Chopra, with her deep understanding of the industry dynamics, shared her thoughts on the complexities that surround the act of speaking out and the changes brought by the Me Too movement. “You know, not enough. It’s such a tricky situation,” Anupama said, reflecting on whether there have been significant changes in Bollywood since the Me Too movement. She highlighted the difficulty in advising how and when someone should speak out against harassment. “Who are we to tell a woman that you should have taken this to the committee or you should’ve taken action? I don’t have any experience of this. So who am I to tell someone else that?”
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Anupama Chopra On Taking Accountability
Anupama Chopra emphasized the importance of personal choice in these matters, underscoring that no one should dictate the terms of someone else’s narrative. “I feel like you cannot tell anyone how much to speak and when, and you should not,” she stated. Despite the increased awareness, Anupama noted a shortfall in accountability that is still seen somewhere in the industry. “But as a result, we did not see a lot of people paying for what they did.”
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Also Read: Bollywood Is Making A Joke Of The Me Too Movement By Working With The Accused. Taapsee Pannu Says Keep Fighting!
Anupama Chopra On The Subtle Shifts In Bollywood
While acknowledging the shortcomings in terms of visible accountability, Anupama Chopra also pointed out a subtle but important shift within the industry. “When that happens it feels like it passed. But I feel like there is a sense of fear (now). There is a consciousness in the industry now which is very important.” This consciousness, according to Anupama, is crucial for the long-term impact of any movement, as it alters the underlying attitudes that can prevent future incidents of harassment.
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The conversation on The Male Feminist not only shed light on the complexities involved in addressing sexual harassment in Bollywood but also sparked a dialogue about the cultural shifts that are necessary for meaningful change. As Chopra and many others in the industry reflect on these issues, the hope is that this newfound consciousness will lead to a safer and more inclusive working environment.
Watch the full episode of Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist to hear more from Anupama Chopra on this topic!
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