Amid the ongoing MeToo movement in Kerala, actress Sanjjanaa Galrani met with Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday. She submitted a request to create an organization aimed at ensuring the safety of people working in the Kannada film industry. The actress handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister, a moment captured in a video shared by ANI.
Image Source: Screengrab from ANI Video. Sanjjanaa Galrani meets Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.
In her memorandum, Sanjjanaa addressed Karnataka’s Home Minister Gangadharaiah Parmeshwar, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. She urged the authorities to take significant measures to prevent the exploitation of women in the Kannada film industry.
She wrote, “I, Sanjjanaa Galrani, humbly request the initiation of vital safety measures to prevent the exploitation of women in the film industry. This will lead to the formation of a new position specifically to cater to the needs and issues of women artists.”
Call for Women-Led Associations
Sanjjanaa proposed the formation of an association led by women in the film industry. This wing would function as an extension of the existing Artist Association, aimed at educating female artists about their basic rights.
She added, "A women artist association wing, headed by women in the film industry, should be formed. It should act as an extension of the existing Artist Association and educate women about their basic rights as actresses."
<Sanjjanaa addressed the issue by highlighting a series of events where women in other film industries faced exploitation. She expressed her concern about keeping the Kannada film industry, known as "Namma Kannada industry," safe from similar allegations. She urged stakeholders to maintain the industry’s integrity and reputation.
Maintaining the Kannada Film Industry’s Integrity
She noted, "After observing a series of women exploitation episodes in other film industries, I felt the need to write this letter. We must maintain the serenity of our ‘Namma Kannada industry’ to prevent any such embarrassing situations. This will protect our industry from any black mark in the future."
Sanjjanaa also mentioned her strong desire to form an organization called SWAA (which stands for Safety and Welfare of Artists Association). She seeks valuable input from the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, Producers Association, Directors Association, Technicians Association, and the Artist Association. Additionally, she emphasized the need for mentorship from the Government of Karnataka to establish SWAA.
She further elaborated, "I want to form SWAA by taking valuable opinions from our respectful Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, Producers Association, Directors Association, Technicians Association, and Artist Association. Importantly, we need the mentorship of the Honorable Government of Karnataka to form SWAA."
The MeToo movement in the Malayalam film industry has highlighted serious issues regarding the harassment and exploitation of women professionals. The Hema Committee’s report brought these issues to the forefront, prompting actions from concerned individuals like Sanjjanaa Galrani.
Impact of MeToo Movement
The MeToo movement has had ripple effects beyond individual testimonies, pushing various film industries to introspect deeply. Particularly in the Malayalam industry, recent reports have brought to light the disturbing reality of harassment and exploitation faced by women. Sanjjanaa’s proactive steps are seen as an extension of this larger movement, aimed at fostering a safer work environment in the Kannada film industry.
Sanjjanaa Galrani’s meeting with Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and the submitted proposal highlight the pressing need for change. The actress’s advocacy for an organization focused on the safety and welfare of women artists points towards a progressive step in the Kannada film industry.
By involving key government and industry figures, Sanjjanaa hopes to build a robust support system for female artists, ensuring their rights and safety are prioritized. This initiative signifies a crucial move towards creating a more inclusive and respectful workspace for all individuals in the Kannada film industry.
