Mainstream film industries are propaganda machines, says Hollywood actress Rose McGowan

Actress Rose McGowan called Hollywood and 'Bollywood', as mainstream Hindi film industry is sometimes called, propaganda machines, saying they try to tell how a man or a woman should function.

"I started acting in Hollywood around 20 years ago accidentally, and through the time I have realized that it is not different from any [other industry], McGowan said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here.

"The veil of secrecy is so intense... Hollywood and Bollywood are propaganda machines. They tell how a man should be or a woman should be or a gay should be. It is set up by men in power."

McGowan had accused the once powerful Hollywood producer Harry Weinstein, now disgraced, of rape, and started the MeToo hashtag to raise awareness about sexual harassment. It soon became a movement with people from all quarters coming forward to share their experiences of sexual assault.

McGowan feels "for every #MeToo hashtag, there's an #Ididit too". She believes Hollywood is "just a microcosm of the problems across the world".

"It [what's happening now with women coming forward to stand up against wrongs] scares men, and it's okay to be uncomfortable," she added.

The actress said she is now dedicated to changing things for good. "We need to get back to humanity. And the only way to do so is to address the issue. I know we can change things," she said.