In a disturbing revelation, veteran South Indian actress Radhika Sarathkumar has opened up about a shocking incident on a film set that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The actress, who has graced Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema for nearly five decades, shared her harrowing experience of discovering hidden cameras in a vanity van, secretly recording actresses as they changed clothes.
The Startling Discovery
Radhika recently shared her experience during an interview with Asianet, where she recalled the unsettling moment she realized something was wrong on the film set in Kerala. She noticed a group of crew members huddled together, laughing and watching something on a device. Curious, Radhika approached one of them to ask what they were viewing. To her horror, the crew member revealed that they were watching a secretly recorded video of an actress changing clothes in the vanity van. The revelation was made worse when she was told that all it took to access such a video was to input the actress’s name.
Radhika’s Confrontation
Shocked and angered, Radhika confronted the vanity van team about the hidden cameras. She made it clear that such an invasion of privacy was unacceptable and warned them that if she found a camera in her van, she would not hesitate to retaliate. The incident left a deep impact on Radhika, who admitted that after the incident, she became fearful of using vanity vans altogether. Instead, she opted to change in her hotel room, where she felt safer.
A Deeply Disturbing Trend in the Industry
This revelation from Radhika Sarathkumar comes on the heels of the explosive Hema Committee report, which has brought to light the rampant sexual harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. The report, released on August 19, 2023, has exposed a deeply troubling culture of abuse, where female artists are often subjected to predatory behavior, casting couch demands, and other forms of exploitation.
Radhika, reflecting on the Hema Committee’s findings, expressed her frustration over the delay in the report’s release. She questioned why it took so long for the truth to come out, highlighting the need for urgent reforms in the industry to protect the dignity and safety of female artists.
A Veteran Actress’s Call for Change
With a career spanning 46 years, Radhika Sarathkumar is no stranger to the challenges of the film industry. She made her debut in the 1978 Telugu romantic drama “Kizhakke Pogum Rail” and has since become a respected figure in Indian cinema. Her revelation underscores the harsh reality faced by many women in the film industry, where even a space as private as a vanity van can become a site of exploitation.
Radhika’s courageous decision to speak out about her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for systemic change in the industry. It also shines a light on the importance of safeguarding the privacy and safety of all actors, regardless of their status or experience.
As more stories like Radhika’s come to the fore, the hope is that the industry will take significant steps to create a safer, more respectful working environment for everyone involved. With veterans like Radhika leading the charge, there is a growing demand for accountability and transparency in an industry that has long operated in the shadows.
