Mumbai: The Malayalam film industry is in turmoil following the release of the Hema Committee Report, which unveiled disturbing accounts of sexual harassment against women. The report comes on the heels of the MeToo movement, which has already rocked both the Kerala and Bollywood entertainment sectors with stories of casting couch incidents and predatory behavior. Amidst these revelations, one notable voice has risen from a different corner of the entertainment sector. Kamya Punjabi, a seasoned TV actress, asserts that the television industry is devoid of such sexual abuse, claiming that everything occurs with mutual consent on television sets.
Kamya Punjabi, well-known in the television world for her prolific career spanning several decades, spoke candidly about her experiences in an exclusive interview with News 18. “Television has been very clean. I don’t know what used to happen in the past but now it is very clean. There is no such filth here. People aren’t forced or blackmailed here. There is no casting couch. If you fit a role, you have talent, you will be selected for the show. I feel television is the safest place in the entertainment industry. Sexual abuse does not happen here. Whatever happens, happens because there is mutual consent. Nobody is telling anyone to sleep with them in the promise of a role,” she stated emphatically.
Her remarks come at a time when the entertainment industry is under intense scrutiny. The Hema Committee’s findings have reignited conversations about the prevalence of sexual misconduct in film industries, prompting comparisons and introspections across various sectors of Indian entertainment. Kamya’s staunch defense of the television industry offers a counter-narrative that might provide some solace to viewers and aspiring TV actors alike.
Kamya further elaborated on her perspective, pointing out that while some actors in the TV industry may exhibit womanizing behavior, they are not coercive. “Some actors are womanisers but if you stop it, if you make it very clear, such things do not happen. Nobody is being forced to do this. Aisa nahi hai ke aapko haath lagaya jaaega aur aap uncomfortable feel karoge.
. If you tell them, ‘Hello, I don’t like it’, you will not be touched. We have seen actors who get crazy for girls, but nobody forces nobody,” she explained, illustrating her point with examples and personal insights.
Kamya’s statements offer a glimpse into the workings of the television industry, suggesting a culture of mutual respect and consent. She acknowledged that while there are always outliers, the overarching environment in television does not foster coercion or exploitation. “I know of some people who say that such things have happened to them. But again, if a girl does not want, it will not happen. It does not happen in the television industry. I don’t know about films or OTT but it does not happen in TV,” she reiterated.
Kamya’s perspective is significant, especially considering her extensive career and visibility in the television space. She has been a part of numerous popular TV shows and has witnessed the industry’s evolution over the years. Her insights are drawn from firsthand experiences, making her statements noteworthy amidst the broader discourse on sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.
It’s worth noting that Kamya’s personal life has also been in the public eye. She previously had a highly-publicized relationship with fellow TV actor Karan Patel, which ended amid allegations of infidelity on his part. However, Kamya has continued to focus on her career and professional life, consistently contributing to the television industry.
Her Instagram account, @panjabikamya, further showcases her professional journey and personal philosophies. The actress often shares insights, moments from her daily life, and motivational messages with her followers, reinforcing her image as a strong and principled individual.
The ongoing discussions around the Hema Committee Report and Kamya’s staunch defense of the television industry underscore the complexities of addressing sexual harassment across different entertainment sectors. While Kamya’s experience paints a relatively positive picture of the TV industry, it also highlights the broader issue of varying cultural environments within different branches of entertainment.
Kamya’s remarks do not dismiss the experiences of others in different sectors, but rather, they emphasize that not all areas of the entertainment industry are fraught with the same issues. Her defense of the TV industry can be seen as a call to acknowledge the efforts and cultural practices that have made it a comparatively safer space.
In conclusion, as the entertainment industry grapples with the findings of the Hema Committee Report and the ongoing revelations from the MeToo movement, voices like Kamya Punjabi’s remind us of the multifaceted nature of these issues. Her assertion that the television industry is largely free from sexual abuse due to mutual consent provides an important perspective in the ongoing dialogue about creating safer and more respectful working environments for all.
