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Aditi Rao Hydari on creating a complaint cell in Bollywood for sexual offences

Sexual harassment is a subject that has not been talked about much in Bollywood, being somewhat of a taboo in the fraternity. Actress Aditi Rao Hydari agrees that speaking about sexual harassment is not typical as there is a fear of being ostracized from the film industry, adding that there is no place where Bollywood can go to seek justice for sexual offences.

As according to Deccan Chronicle, Hydari said, “Most workplaces in India have a complaint cell for sexual offences. There’s no such cell in Bollywood. The most that a harassed person can do is complain to the producer or director or share the trauma with a friend and then move on.We need to set up a proper grievance cell for sexual offences in the film industry. There is the fear of being ostracized by the film industry, of not getting work if one speaks out. That fear should be dispelled. Whenever I’ve faced situations that have made me uncomfortable I’ve turned down the project. Have I lost out on good work because of my refusal to ignore unacceptable behavior? I may have. But, at least I can look myself in the eye in the mirror.”

Hydari’s ‘London Paris New York’ (2012) co-star Ali Zafar was recently accused of sexual harassment by Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi.