‘No work environment is safe for women, but film sets are’

The speakers at the inaugural session on women’s safety and cinema at the 55th IFFI discussed the attitude toward women on set, how to ensure a film set is safe, and how newcomers are treated in the industry. When asked whether the film industry can change, they shared personal stories, stressing that, overall, film sets are, in fact, very safe spaces.


'There have been three people whom I have sent back in my life and from different sets, from different cases'

Suhasini Maniratnam spoke about safety on sets and said, "I asked my husband (Mani Ratnam) this morning, 'So what did you do?' He gave me the name of a person and said, 'We threw him out of our set because he crossed a certain line.' And after that, he said, 'Most of the people should be thrown out."

To which Bhumi added, "What I feel is that, okay, you take that first step where you make sure that person is not on your set. But that person will be working on some other set. He will still get work, and people will still be associated with him, even though everybody knows, right? Like within closed doors, everyone knows. So, like, what are those strong steps we can take so that when there is a true perpetrator, that person is punished?"

Suhasini Maniratnam asked Imtiaz, "Can you tell us what happens if there is a perpetrator and a violation of crossing lines? How does a film unit react to it?"

Responding to the query, Imtiaz mentioned, "There have been three people that I have sent back in my life, from different sets, from different cases. I'm happy that it's only three."

The film industry in Bombay is remarkable in the way it treats its women: Imtiaz Ali (+ pl use berth scene still from Jab We Met)
Imtiaz Ali shared, "Believe me, the film industry in Bombay is remarkable in the way it treats its women. You know, down to the core, there are 200 people working on a unit, and still, it’s a very safe space for women. I feel that there are women who either support or challenge my views, but overall, as a man, I’ve noticed firsthand that film sets are safe. For instance, let me give you an example from one of my movies.

There was a shot in Jab We Met where some lighting had to be adjusted. The cameraman said at the last moment that he needed a light there. The light had to be set up at the top berth, and Kareena had to lie down and mumble in her sleep. Kareena was lying down, so I told her, 'Come down for a moment, let him finish setting up the light, and then you can go back.'

Kareena knows the ethics of shooting better than I do. She replied, 'No, no, I’ll just stay here. They’ll come to the berth, set up the light, and I’ll stay here.'

Now, three men were standing on the lower berth while Kareena was lying on the top berth, and they were setting the light. I looked at her and asked, 'Kareena, are you sure?' She didn’t seem to understand what my concern was. I was like, 'Wow!'

I've seen countless situations. There are so many men working in the film industry – lighting technicians, property people, and more – and the general attitude in the Bombay film industry is that they don’t look at women inappropriately."


Bhumi Pednekar said that there are times when actors are not in comfortable clothes and microphones have to be placed, but she has never felt unsafe.


Bhumi added, "I feel like we are always in focus, but when I step back and really think about it, I realise that no place is truly safe – no work environment is safe for women. However, our environments (film sets) are very safe. I think the conversation should involve everyone in this room. We all have family members who are not within the industry. What are we doing for them and their environments to make sure that there is some kind of safety and a protocol that is maintained?"

'Aisa nahi hai ki koi ladki compromise kar legi, toh usko role pakka mil jayega'

The audience had numerous questions about how newcomers have to compromise, the casting couch, women's safety, and what has changed over the years in the film industry. Responding to a question about whether the industry is changing or if there are still challenges for women, Khushbu Sundar said, "When there is a situation, it is important that women fight it. Jab bhi aapke saath badsaluki hoti hai, toh main mahilaon se yehi kehna chahungi ki usi waqt uska jawab de. Na ki uss waqt ye sochein ki mera career banna hai. When I was a newcomer, a hero asked me, 'Tere cycle gap mein chance mil jayega kya?' Maine chapal nikaali aur kaha, 'Mera size 41 hai, aap yahan khaoge ya unit ke saamne khaoge'?"

Imtiaz added, "Also, on the point of compromise, I want to say that I have been working as a director in the industry for 15 years. I have also heard a lot about the casting couch and how newcomers are scared to say no. I want to point out that - jo ladki na nahi bol sakti hai, usse chances nahi milte. Aisa nahi hai ki koi ladki compromise kar legi toh usko role pakka mil jayega, exploit karne wale bahut honge."

Vani Tripathi Tikoo added, "One word is very important – gaze. Yeh saare neeyat se connected issues hain. Agar aapki neeyat saaf hogi, toh work environment bhi safe hoga."

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