Khushboo Sundar on being abused by father: 'I was abused by the person who was supposed to...'

In the middle of the ongoing '#MeToo' storm in the Malayalam film industry, actor-turned-politician Khushboo Sundar on Wednesday expressed her strong support for the Justice K Hema Committee, describing it as "much needed" to address the abuse faced by women in the industry. Taking to her official X account, Khushboo emphasized that the current "MeToo" movement within the film industry is deeply unsettling and urged women not to compromise their integrity.

The Justice Hema Committee was formed following the 2017 actress assault case, and its 235-page report, made public last week, highlights numerous instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

"Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious," Khushboo wrote in a detailed post on X. She acknowledged the pervasive nature of abuse and the expectation of sexual favors in exchange for career advancement, noting that this issue is not unique to the film industry but exists across various fields. However, she pointed out that women, more than men, are often the ones who suffer the most.

Khushboo spoke about the challenges women face when they are victimized, including the fear of being shamed and subjected to victim-blaming questions like "Why did you do it?" or "What made you do it?" She stressed the importance of offering support, a listening ear, and emotional backing to victims, recognizing that not everyone is in a position to speak out due to their circumstances.

"Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers exist in every field. Why is a woman alone expected to go through the grind? Although men too face it, it's marginally women who bear the brunt." She questioned.

Reflecting on her own experience, Khushboo shared how some people questioned why she took so long to speak out about the abuse she endured from her father. "I agree I should have spoken earlier. But what happened to me was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused by the person who was supposed to provide the strongest arms to hold me if I fell," she wrote.

Khushboo, who has served as a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), revealed last year that she was sexually abused by her father at the age of 8. She began rebelling against him at the age of 15, which eventually led to him abandoning the family.

In an interview with NDTV on Wednesday, Khushboo urged women to stand up, come out, and speak up against such incidents. When asked if she had ever faced similar situations, she recounted a brief encounter when she first entered the South Indian film industry. A producer, assuming she was vulnerable because she lacked a "Godfather" in the industry, approached her inappropriately.

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However, she quickly put him in his place. "He gave me a hint when he walked into my makeup room while I was shooting for a Telugu film. I removed my slippers and told him I wear size 41. Do you want to take a whack right here or do you want me to hit you in front of the unit?" she recalled, adding that it’s crucial for women to stand up for themselves in the moment.

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Khushboo also highlighted the need for men to support women in these situations. "We women work in an atmosphere thinking that the men around us would be there to support and protect us. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen," she said, urging men to be allies in the fight against abuse.