Maneka Gandhi puts producers on notice?

After warning 24-odd leading Bollywood producers over the allegations of sexual harassment in the Hindi film industry, Minister For Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has reportedly sent a notice to the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and Telugu Film Producers Council that they are “ethically and legally” responsible for providing a safe, secure and inclusive work environment” for all their staff under the Indian law. 

Just recently, actress Sri Reddy has been making allegations against producers of harassment and exploitation, thus, creating ripples in the Telugu film industry. Adding to their woes, now Gandhi has written a letter to the producers urging them to comply with India’s Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, (Prevention, Prohibition, Redressal) 2013 “The aim of this law is to ensure that no woman is sexually harassed at her workplace. 

This is to be followed in letter and spirit by all organisations in the country and I expect you to personally lead these efforts with sincerity and commitment, in accordance with all the applicable laws.”  

A source close to the Telugu producers body adds, “Already, the image of the industry took a beating due to allegations by a couple of actresses and this letter has put producers, directors and others in a tight spot,” It is true that the letter gained significance in the midst of allegations and denials in the past few weeks. 

Now, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has to take the responsibility of protecting the women  and child artistes who are working in their unit. “MWCF has asked each producer to ensure the safety of  actresses, female  technicians, assistant directors, junior artistes and child artistes. If anything goes wrong, the producer will be held responsible, which is giving producers some tense moments,” adds the source. 

For instance, a producer or director cannot summon an actress, woman employee or child artistes to their office, hotel room or some other secluded place without specifying any ‘valid reason’ without escort. 

Else, they will be in soup. “Film production houses have to adhere to the guidelines mentioned in the Sexual Harassment Act in providing  safe, secure and inclusive work environment for women in the Telugu film industry. Any gesture or innuendo and cheap misbehaviour would lead to severe action and imprisonment for offenders,” concludes the source. Atlast, women folk  can heave a sigh of relief.