"Wakeup call to all": Khushbu Sundar welcomes Hema Committee report, recounts childhood abuse from father

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 28 : Actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar recounted the abuse she faced as a child from her father as she acknowledged the recent Hema Committee report, which exposed rampant sexual exploitation, illegal bans, and inhumane working conditions in the Malayalam film industry.
In a post on X, Khushbu addressed her past, sharing the impact of her father's abuse and her delayed decision to speak out.
"As a woman and a mother, the wounds inflicted by such violence cut deep, not only in the flesh but in the very soul. These acts of brutality shake the foundations of our trust, our love, and our strength. Behind every mother, there's a will to nurture and protect, and when that sanctity is shattered, it affects us all," she said.
"Some ask me what took me so long to speak about my father's abuse. I agree I should have spoken earlier. But what happened to me, was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused at the hands of the person who was supposed to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell," she added.
On August 19, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry was made public.
Khushbu commended the women who have stood strong towards this development and voiced her support to the victims of abuse and exploitation. She also questioned whether the Committee would be enough to effect change.
"This moment of #MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious. The #HemaCommittee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it? Abuse, asking for sexual favours, 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," the actor said in her post on Wednesday.
Reflecting on her personal experiences and conversations with her daughters, she said, "Had a long conversation with my 24-year-old and 21-year-old daughters on this issue. Was amazed at their empathy and understanding towards the victims. They firmly support them and stand with them at this juncture."
Khushbu urged victims to speak up as that would help them in healing and investigating more effectively. "It doesn't matter whether you speak today or tomorrow, just speak," she said.
"The fear of being shamed, victim blaming, and questions like "Why did you do it?" or "What made you do it?" break her. The victim might be a stranger to you or me, but she needs our support, an ear to listen, and emotional backing from us all. When questioning why she didn't come out earlier, we need to consider her circumstances - not everyone is privileged to speak out," she added.
In her call to action, Sundar urged men to show solidarity with victims and stressed that support and respect for women should be a universal stance.
"To all the men out there, I implore you to stand by the victim and show your unwavering support. Every man was born to a woman who endured incredible pain and sacrifice. Many women play indispensable roles in your upbringing, shaping you into the person you are today--your mothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, and friends," she said.
"Let's understand that many women don't even have the support of their families. They come from small towns with stars in their eyes, hoping to shine brightly but often find their dreams nipped and crushed in the bud," Khushbu added.
She highlighted the dire need for change, encouraging women to stand up for themselves and reject any form of compromise on their dignity.
"This should be a wake-up call to ALL. Let the exploitation stop here. Women, come out and speak. Remember, you always have a choice in life. Your NO is definitely a NO. Never adjust or compromise on your dignity and respectability. EVER. I stand with all the women who have been through this. As a mother and as a woman," Khushbu said.
The 235-page Hema Committee report, published after redacting the names of the witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and influence the industry.