The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has announced that it will set up a sexual harassment redressal panel within the next four to five days with members drawn from the film industry and outside.
The Film Chambers has also undertaken that it will make it mandatory for the production houses registered with the body, to establish committees against sexual harassment as mandated by the Vishakha guidelines, the representatives of the TFCC announced at a press conference on Thursday. The committee to be set up under the TFCC will have 10 members from the film industry and 10 from outside. Members will be drawn from Telugu Film Producers Council, Movie Artistes Association, Telugu Film Directors Association, and Telugu Film Employees Federation, besides renowned persons from NGOs, legal, medical and other fields. a statement by the TFCC said.
The Movie Artistes Association (MAA) president Shivaji Raja announced that the restrictions imposed by MAA on its members against working with Sri Reddy, the junior artiste who raked up a controversy by her social media posts against the reported casting couch within the industry and her semi-nude protest in front MAA office, have been withdrawn for the time being.
The reversal in its decision came after the NHRC served notices on the I&B Ministry and the TS government, calling for detailed reports about alleged sexual exploitation of women in Tollywood. However, no clarity has been given on whether the artiste will be given membership of the Association.
Ms. Reddy, through her posts, levelled allegations of sexual assaults and harassment against a few film personalities including a renowned producer’s son, and a few artistes. MAA delegates have, however, not assured any action or investigation against them.
The press meet was addressed by film director Tammareddy Bharadwaja, MAA General Secretary Naresh, Secretary Hema, film writer Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, and TFCC president Gemini Kiran.
