Entertainment

#MeToo: Actress Vichitra Revealed Sexual Favors in the Film Industry made her to quit Acting

8 months ago
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Vichitra actress Bigg boss Tamil

On Bigg Boss Tamil S7, Actress Vichitra opened up about her casting couch experience, which made her quit cinema 20 years ago. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada movies. The actress revealed that no action was taken despite filing a complaint with the union. The netizens claim that she was talking about the 2001 Balakrishna starrer Bhalevadivi Basu.

Sexual Favor in the Telugu Industry

Vichitra revealed that she vividly remembered the incident: The general manager of the Hotel, who later became my husband, told me, Madam, we arranged a party for the upgrade of the three-star level. He invited me to join the party. There I met the main hero of the picture. The protagonist did not even ask her name. He asked, “Are you acting in this film?” She said Yes! The Hero of the movie said, “Come to my room.” He did not ask my name, who are you etc. 

For her, it was a big shock. The first time, she encountered such a savage casting couch. Indeed, she did not understand what type of gesture it was.

Knocking my Door at Night

She said that every evening in the hotel after 6 pm, somebody would knock on her door. She reminisced about that banging sound on the doors. Moreover, she was unable to apprehend what was going on at the Hotel. Further, she elaborated that after reaching my room, I used to inform at the reception, not to connect the intercom to my room. I told them, I didn’t want to speak with anyone, whoever calls me, saying no one should trouble me or disturb me. Unfortunately, the trouble was increasing every day and worsened. During the entire shoot schedule, Vichitra changed the rooms and stayed every day in a new room in that Hotel. Eventually, she decided, I came here for work, let me finish and go silently. Until then, I want to remain calm despite all the cruel sexism.

Also Read: Actress Trisha Strongly Condemns ‘Sexist Remarks’ Of ‘Leo’ Movie Actor Mansoor Ali Khan

No Such Practice in the Tamil Film Industry

From the next day onwards, she started facing many issues and problems at the shooting spot. They intentionally delay or do not call her in time for a shot or take. Every day after the shoot-over, she has to face a gruesome experience.

Vichitra said that I had never faced such incidents in the Tamil film industry. I don’t know if it is my bad luck or bad time; whether the Telugu industry functions in such a manner. I did not apprehend properly.

Touching inappropriately on Shooting Sets

Vichitra claimed that once they were shooting outdoors, the shooting spot was in a dense forest, it was a top-angle crane shot, particularly a stunt scene. She stated that the fight master arrived, fighters assembled, and the atmosphere was like a village. She was prepared to act as a village girl.

She mingled with the crowd, along with the hero and heroine. The shot was a scene of agitation and she found someone inappropriately touching her in different places of body. Initially, she felt it might be a mistake. It was a big shock for her. She thought such things would never happen in a movie set.

Tight Slap on Face 

During the second take, the same thing happened. Everybody was watching, even the director, junior artists and the hero. When he did the third time, she held his hands and asked, “Why are you doing this; I confirmed that you only did this”. She dragged him and took him to the stunt master. She told the stunt master that, ‘he was touching and rubbing me in an inappropriate way in the wrong places. Please tell him’. Nonetheless, the stunt master took the hands out of the fighter and gave Vichitra a “big tight slap” in front of the entire unit. She was stunned and silenced.

Union Sidelined with the Culprit  

When the incident happened on the set, the producers, director, actors, artists, junior artists and even the dog did not respect me. Nobody understood what was happening. Vichitra said, I just walked out of the set. I was filled with tears, fear and anger. She contacted the union for help but the Union leader asked her to give a written complaint and instructed her to stop work and come out of the set. Based on that, she went out and registered a complaint.

No One Helped the Victim

She revealed that her biggest regret was that no one came for her, although it was reported in newspapers and became sensational news. She said she suffered from pain as no one came to talk to me. Further, she is disgruntled, if it could have gone up to rape, then people might lend help. Vichitra said that manhandling is also a serious crime, slapping some women in the workplace is also a crime.

Union Drowned

In the aftermath of the incident, nobody took an interest. Everyone unanimously said, why don’t you go to the police station, don’t come to the Sangam (Union). Later, no one from the film fraternity took an initiation or helped me. The industry doesn’t respect women and that is the reason, I don’t want to work in such an industry. She said that her husband was the only person who stood her through the court ordeal.

Netizens: It is a Telugu film

Albeit, Vichitra did not disclose the name of the movie. The netizens based on the period and description of the scenes claimed it is a Telugu film, Bhalevadivi Basu. The protagonist is Nandamuri Balakrishna, who now encounters the allegation of ‘casting couch’. Interestingly some even unearthed clips of the scene they believe she was talking about.

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