A delegation led by Karan Johar, Rajkumar Hirani, Akshay Kumar met with prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss issues of the film industry.
Absence of women in film industry delegation meeting prime minister raises questions
Mumbai - 19 Dec 2018 16:00 IST
Updated : 16:20 IST
Shriram Iyengar
The film industry might have thought itself safe from the wrath of the #MeToo movement after a couple of quiet weeks, but its latest misstep only points to the blatant discrimination that exists. Twitter rose up to question the absence of women in the latest delegation from the film industry to meet the prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss problems facing the industry.
The delegates included directors Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar, actor Akshay Kumar, producer Ronnie Screwvala, Producers Guild of India president Siddharth Roy Kapur Siddharth Roy Kapur, as well as Prasoon Joshi, chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification.
While Johar and the others were pleased with the interaction, suggesting a positive response from the prime minister, many online users were surprised at the absence of any female delegates in the retinue.
It was enlightening to hear the honourable Prime Minsiter @narendramodi share his views on our Industry’s soft power status and the strength of our cinema...he gave our media and entertainment representatives a patient and solid hearing....thank you Sir!! pic.twitter.com/BIl8ubQwYa
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) December 18, 2018
Heartfelt thank you to the honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for taking out time to hear us at length, discuss issues pertaining to our industry and assuring positive consideration of suggestions. pic.twitter.com/ShGfr0Jlvu
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 18, 2018
Several filmmakers like Alankrita Shrivastava and Tannishtha Chatterjee took to Twitter to point out the blaring omission of not having invited any woman filmmaker or producer to the meeting.
Would be great to have female representation in these delegations. It is 2018. https://t.co/HoxGbptgwX
— Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) December 18, 2018
Indian film industry also includes many languages apart from Hindi. And ofcourse.. women ... we exist as well. It would have been nice to have a more inclusive representation. https://t.co/I5ol9jahHD
— TannishthaChatterjee (@TannishthaC) December 19, 2018
The absence of regional representation apart, social media certainly took offense at the women being ignored. This, partiicularly, in a year when the film industry has come under question for its mistreatment of women amidst the #MeToo allegations.
Even after #MeTooIndia, no one cared to include even one woman in the delegation. https://t.co/khSQ2g3Egh
— Surbhi Gupta (@bysurbhigupta) December 18, 2018
Where are the women of the industry? https://t.co/KGMcg8J2J9
— #MeTooIndia (@IndiaMeToo) December 19, 2018
Looks like the womenfolk from the film and entertainment industry seem to have nothing worth sharing with the PM of the country. Maybe all the harassment, casting couch, pay gap, misrepresentation and sexism must have been addressed already? https://t.co/cea12BkMCN
— Calling Out Stalking (@CallOutStalking) December 18, 2018
More proof that reinforces we need affirmative action. Clearly women are not even on invite lists. Forget bottom of the lists. https://t.co/ZpvCSMbmjX
— Aparna Jain (@Aparna) December 18, 2018
The latest meeting comes months after actor Aamir Khan, filmmaker Aanand L Rai and Hirani met the prime minister in October to discuss the film industry's contribution to the revenue of India. The delegation, again, had no women filmmakers or producers present.
Hon Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi meets film industry delegation: Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Aanand L Rai, Ritesh Sidhwani, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Maulik Bhagat and Mahaveer Jain... How entertainment industry can contribute more in nation building was discussed. pic.twitter.com/VKbWvhqnso
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 25, 2018
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