Have been harassed by actors on sets, says Kangana Ranaut
Mumbai, Jan 21 : Kangana Ranaut says she was harassed several times by actors on film sets and while it wouldn't fall under #MeToo as it wasn't sexual, the experience was daunting and humiliating.
The actor said harassment can happen on several levels and she has faced toxic behaviour from many people in her career.
"Harassment happens on many levels. So many times on sets, I wasn't sexually harassed, but some people had ego issues. I was harassed on many other fronts. It wouldn't come under #MeToo but it was still harassment," Kangana told PTI.
The actor said the harassment ranged from making her wait for long hours to dubbing her voice without her consent.
Talking about her harrowing experiences, Kangana said, "Making me wait on set for six hours, willingly giving me wrong call time to make me stand, always giving me the wrong set of dates so I'm missing out on opportunities and then cancelling the schedule last minute by these heroes.
"Ganging up on me and not inviting me to film events, launching trailers without me and then someone else dubbed for me without even telling me, which is violating the basic right of taking permission from an actor."
The "Queen" star said because of the #MeToo movement, which hit India last year, men in the industry are scared.
"People are scared, obviously and they should be. Men are scared in the industry. This isn't going to stop. This will continue till we really go into the root cause of it because essentially it's a patriarchal society which is extremely chauvinistic.
"We need to come to a point where they are scared. All the talks of 'what if women lose work' should stop. I believe there's no life without dignity. You shouldn't worry about raising your voice."
The actor had come out in support of the survivor when allegations of sexual harassment were levelled against "Queen" director Vikas Bahl.
Kangana, 31, said going forward strict rules and immediate action policy should be implemented to make film sets safer for women.
"On film sets there have to be strict rules and strict action should be taken. Things can't be solved on a personal level or behind closed doors. Things should be taken to authority and immediate action is the need of the hour.
"When anyone raises concern, people director, producer or anyone need to solve it. We need to become more sensitive about these things," she said.
Kangana will be next seen in "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi". The much ambitious period-drama features her in the titular role and has been directed by Krish and Kangana. The film releases on January 25.
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Dalit man beaten to death in MP over land dispute; sarpanch, kin booked
Shivpuri (MP) (PTI): A 30-year-old Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death by the sarpanch and seven others over a land dispute in a village in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district, an official said on Wednesday.
Narad Jatav was fatally attacked on Tuesday evening after he and his maternal uncle objected to a road created through their land to a hotel belonging to the sarpanch, Padam Dhakad, in Indergarh village, the official said. The accused, including Dhakad's sons and wife, are on the run.
Following the dispute over the road, Narad allegedly removed the water supply line from a common borewell to the hotel. Dhakad and his family then beat him with sticks and killed him, Kotwali police station in-charge Kripal Singh Rathore said.
Jatav’s family protested in the medical college where his body was taken for autopsy, demanding the registration of a first information report (FIR) against the accused, he said.
Later, police pacified them and registered a murder case against the sarpanch and his other family members, including his wife and sons, Rathore said.
The eight accused persons are absconding and efforts are being made to nab them, he added.
Condemning the murder, former chief minister Kamal Nath wrote on X, “A Dalit youth was beaten to death with sticks in Indergarh of Shivpuri. After this murder in broad daylight, it has been proved once again that Dalits are not safe in Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
There is not a single day when an incident of atrocity on Dalits does not occur in the state, said the Congress leader.
“Under the BJP rule, the audacity of bullies is increasing and it has become their habit to oppress the Dalits and tribals,” he wrote on the social media platform.
Nath also demanded special arrangements to ensure the safety of Dalits and tribals in MP.
