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Guneet Monga Kapoor has praised the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) for initiating a crucial conversation about the safety of women in the Malayalam film industry following the Hema Committee Report on sexual harassment and the power nexus.
She emphasizes that the "genius" of WCC lies in their approach to addressing the issue at the policy level. As she told the media, “Change doesn’t happen with just two people talking about it. Change happens at the policy level. It is social, political, economical, financial, and there are many bodies that get involved. And WCC went to the government and said why don’t you come and see what’s happening. They filed a report way back in 2019. Five years later there was an RTI for the report to come out, because I am sure even the government was shocked to see what was going on.”
With the report now public, Guneet is pleased to see discussions about establishing a new cinema policy and a code of conduct for the Malayalam industry. She notes that this is a significant step forward, driven by the women of Malayalam cinema who have faced various forms of discrimination and harassment. As she mentioned to the media, “It sends a very strong message across industries. It is something that is led by the women of Malayalam cinema against all odds, against getting blocked from work, getting discriminated, facing pay parity and getting sexually harassed.”
Reflecting on her own experiences, Guneet shared, “I have been a victim of being young in many powerful rooms. I was in my late 20s during Gangs Of Wasseypur (2012). I have battled that by showing up in a saree and colouring my hair white, just wanting to look older. I have faced discrimination for my colour and the way I speak, internationally in rooms. How do you even articulate patriarchy or any sort of assumption of power, be it money, gender, race or language barriers? At the end of the day, for me it’s been one step forward by just getting my work done, showing up to a bully, calling it out, sending an email and walking away from uncomfortable environments.”
In her role as a producer, Guneet has taken steps to ensure a safer work environment. She revealed to the media, “We have a POSH committee at our production house, where we have meetings and seminars with the entire team before any project starts, just to be able to make people aware that there is a process in case of anything. You’re coming to work and the first thing you should feel is safe. It’s important to have the process easily accessible and for people to know that there is someone you can reach out and action will be taken accordingly. I understand that the rest of the industry is not how I see and fill my world, but I am responsible for the world I create.”
When asked about the need for similar committees in the Hindi film industry, Guneet emphasized that safety must be the top priority. She affirmed that even at the producers' guild, there is a POSH committee, and stressed the importance of finding allies and maintaining open conversations. As she stated to the media, “Safety is number one priority. Even at the producers’ guild, there is a POSH committee. It’s just about finding an ally and putting the conversation out there. And there are women supporting each other.”
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