Guneet Monga Kapoor, a prominent film producer, has opened up about the challenges she has faced in the film industry, including discrimination and the importance of safety measures. Her comments come in light of the recent revelations from the Hema Committee Report, which exposed issues of sexual harassment and power dynamics in the Malayalam film industry.
The Hema Committee Report, which was spearheaded by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), has sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety and treatment of women in the film industry. Guneet lauded WCC’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of taking the issue to the government. She noted that real change occurs at the policy level, involving multiple social, political, and economic factors. “Change doesn’t happen with just two people talking about it. Change happens at the policy level,” Guneet stated. She praised WCC’s decision to engage with the government, which resulted in the publication of the report after a five-year wait, highlighting the shocking conditions within the Malayalam film industry.
Guneet expressed her hope that the report would lead to the creation of a new cinema policy and a code of conduct for the industry. She emphasized that the movement was led by the women of Malayalam cinema, who faced significant obstacles, including being blacklisted from work, discrimination, pay disparity, and sexual harassment.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Guneet revealed that she had faced discrimination in the workplace, particularly due to her age, race, and the way she speaks. “I have been a victim of being young in many powerful rooms,” she shared, recounting her struggles during the production of Gangs of Wasseypur in her late 20s. To combat these challenges, Guneet adopted tactics like dressing in a saree and dyeing her hair white to appear older. She also mentioned the difficulty of articulating the impact of patriarchy and power dynamics, whether related to money, gender, race, or language barriers.
Despite these challenges, Guneet has remained committed to her work, confronting bullies, and ensuring that she creates a safe work environment for others. At her production house, she has implemented a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee and conducts meetings and seminars with her team before starting any project. “You’re coming to work and the first thing you should feel is safe,” Guneet said, highlighting the importance of making safety processes easily accessible.
When asked if a similar committee is needed in the Hindi film industry, Guneet emphasized that safety is a top priority. She noted that the Producers Guild already has a POSH committee and that it’s crucial to find allies and keep the conversation going. “Safety is number one priority. It’s just about finding an ally and putting the conversation out there. And there are women supporting each other,” she concluded.
Sources By Agencies
