Inspired by the bravery of his peer, an actress who was reportedly sexually assaulted only days ago, actor Prithviraj vows never to do films with misogynistic themes.
South Indian superstar has finally addressed the elephant in cinema hall – in an unprecedented move, the actor has apologised for partaking in movies that have celebrated sexist and misogynistic worldviews and has gone as far to promise that he will no longer appear in such films in the future.
And it is all because of the courage displayed by his peer, a Malayalam film industry actress who was reportedly abducted and molested in a moving car. And even though the incident, which has now gained national prominence and jump-started yet another conversation around women’s safety, only occurred a week ago, she has already returned to work.
Praising her for being extraordinary and brave, Prithviraj has taken to Facebook to make his feelings clear about the kind of messages that cinema promotes.
He is likely one of the first major male stars from the industry to openly accept the inherent sexism in films.
Image source: Facebook
He writes, “And to those voices I apologise…for at an age and time when I wasn’t wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies!”
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Within hours of the note being published on the social media platform, the message went viral with over 4,500 shares in three hours.
Fans have thronged the comments section hailing the actor for acknowledging a big problem within the industry and vowing to address it.
COURAGE
———–Some of the most poignant moments in my life have been punctuated with moments of incredible…
Posted by Prithviraj Sukumaran on Friday, February 24, 2017
Read the full text here:
COURAGE
———–
Some of the most poignant moments in my life have been punctuated with moments of incredible courage. Courage from what I have now fully realised are God’s most benevolent yet intricate creations. WOMEN!
From a mother picking up pieces of a suddenly derailed life, to bring up two young boys to be the men they are today..to a wife who at the fag end of a 40 hour labour, just as she was being cut open without an anaesthetic, holding my hand and telling me “It’s alright Prithvi”..I have repeatedly been dumbfounded in realising how much of a lesser being I am in the company of the women in my life.
And today..as my dear friend walks in to the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film “ADAM”, I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today..she makes a statement..a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend..are making in a million unheard voices!
And to those voices I apologise..for at an age and time when I wasn’t wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes..I’m an actor and this is my craft! I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses…but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen.
Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her! Behind the gutsy spunk, there is a vulnerable celebrity who knew well enough what this decision of hers would mean to a life under constant scrutiny. But she also knew..that she had to see it through…for that would set an example..light a torch that will show a path for many to follow!Today she makes a statement..
A statement of extraordinary courage!
Fanboy for life…dear friend..fanboy for life!
Love always,
Prithvi.
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