Addressing the pervasive issue of harassment in the workplace, renowned producer Ektaa R Kapoor emphasized the critical role that women in powerful positions play in fostering safer work environments. Kapoor’s comments came as a reaction to the revealing Justice Hema Committee report, which threw the spotlight on the rampant sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. Her words gained even more relevance as she spoke during the trailer launch of her upcoming production, The Buckingham Murders.
Kapoor’s take on ensuring women feel safe at work is straightforward yet profound: “Women will feel safe at their workplace only if they get equal opportunities and hold top positions in companies,” she asserted. The Justice Hema Committee’s report is a stark reminder that systemic changes are necessary. According to Kapoor, this includes making a conscious effort to create safe work spaces for women, starting from the top tiers of management down to every level of employment. She stressed, “In a lot of places, we need women at the top to run companies. And for that, women also have to take an initiative. A conscious effort to keep a safe environment for women at any place at work must be taken. A big part of it will be women leading professional jobs.”
The Malayalam film industry, and the broader Kerala film community, has been rocked by this report. It has exposed the disheartening reality of harassment many female actors face. Well-known personalities, including director Ranjith and actors Sidhique and Mukesh, have been named in these allegations. This wave of revelations has also encouraged more female voices to come forward, demanding change and justice.
Kapoor’s rhetoric extended beyond merely ensuring that women have the opportunity to ascend to positions of power; it encompassed the broader implications of female leadership’s effect on workplace culture. “Women and their safety is not just an industry issue; it’s any woman’s workplace issue. A lot of women have to now lead so that a lot of women can join forces,” she noted.
. This sentiment underscores the importance of solidarity among women leaders and employees to catalyze systemic transformation.
Her film, The Buckingham Murders, which features Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead, serves as an exemplar of this ideology. She praised the collaborative effort of two female producers in bringing to life a crime story solved by a female officer, calling it “an example of creating a kind of power.”
In urging for more women to step up and seize leadership roles, Kapoor is advocating not merely for compliance with existing standards but for a rethinking of workplace dynamics to ensure equality and safety. She believes this self-motivated shift within corporate and creative boards can bring about meaningful change. “It’s essential for a lot of women to come together to build what has been missing for far too long – a truly safe and empowering workplace for all women,” she opined.
While discussing the Justice Hema Committee’s findings, Kapoor also lauded those women who have bravely come forward with their stories of harassment and mistreatment. This movement is evolving into a collective call for better policies and stricter enforcement against workplace harassment.
Reflecting on Kapoor’s statements, it becomes clear that the implementation of equal opportunity and the placement of women in executive positions are not simply about filling quotas. They are about fostering an environment where respect and safety are paramount and where abuse of power and exploitation have no place.
Seizing this moment of awakening and potential transformation, Kapoor implores industries, not just film but all sectors, to make a deliberate shift toward female leadership. Such a change, she argues, would not only benefit women but also enhance the quality, creativity, and integrity of the work produced. By ensuring that women are part of the decision-making process at the highest levels, companies can navigate toward a more equitable and balanced future.
As industries grapple with these issues, Kapoor’s message remains clear and urgent: it’s time for women to lead from the front, ensuring that the workplace becomes a truly safe space for everyone. This initiative, transcending merely industry-specific reforms, calls for a cultural shift that acknowledges and rectifies decades of imbalance and injustice. And, as Kapoor astutely observes, such a cultural shift begins with placing women in positions of power and influence.
