"Actually, I feel more protected on film sets, than anywhere else," insists Bhumi Pednekar at 55th IFFI Goa in presence of Imtiaz Ali, Khushboo and Suhasini - by Chaitanya Padukone

Versatile Bollywood star actress and style-icon Bhumi Pednekar and acclaimed film-maker Imtiaz Ali shared their thoughts on women's safety and Indian cinema at the ongoing 55th International Film Festival of India, Goa

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bhumi Pednekar (@bhumipednekar)

Considering the power of cinema and how it can influence society and especially young minds of the nation, the 55th International Film Festival India-2024 organized a panel discussion on women’s safety and Indian cinema. The panel comprised of famous filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, popular vivacious actress Bhumi Pednekar, Southside regional star actress and politician Khushboo Sundar, and acclaimed Southside regional star actress Suhasini Maniratnam and was moderated by multi-faceted political and media-celeb Vani Tripathi Tikoo...

While the conversation revolved around the portrayal of women on-screen and the safety of women in the workplace, especially on the film set, Bhumi  ( who completed nine years as an actress with over 16 movies ) pointed out how, she found a safe environment while working on her debut film and all her following film releases after that.

Three Filmfare Awards-winner Bhumi Pednekar said, “My debut film ( 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' --year 2015 ) was really very special because the film truly questions the status quo. Being born into a family that was fairly liberal, until I started working, I did not know about the sexism that exists in the workplace. Of course, my father was against my decision of joining the film industry because he felt it’s a big bad world. I wish he knew that the world of cinema and our film industry is really a great place to work. I feel more safe and protected when I am on a film set than anywhere outside.” insisted the  'Badhaai Do' lead actress

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IFFI (@iffigoa)

While the casting couch was also spoken about during the session, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali,  ( of 'Jab We Met' fame) who is known for crafting powerful female characters in his films, pointed out an interesting perspective.

The 'Rockstar' director Imtiaz Ali said, “One cannot increase the opportunity for themselves by compromising or giving in to the casting couch. There is no assurance that one will get a project based on that. Yes, there will be a lot of people who will come to exploit her, but her career might just also be compromised. If a girl can say no and stand up for her self-respect and dignity, that also helps her to earn respect. If a woman is ready to compromise, even I will think twice before taking the person seriously. I, as a director, also have to respect her to cast her. So, one should not be in that delusion that a budding actor can create opportunity by compromising. In reality, I have only seen the opposite of that.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IFFI (@iffigoa)

The ongoing International Film Festival India (IFFI), 2024 Goa, under the effective supervision of dynamic Goa Chief Minister Hon'ble Shri Pramod Sawant and guidance of current Chairperson of the 55th IFFI International Jury ----brilliant film-maker Mr Shekhar Kapur, --  is screening more than 271 films from around 81 countries this year. The marketplace, Film Bazaar is also happening alongside IFFI that has a wonderful lineup of films at various stages of film--making that buyers and sellers can choose from.

Read also:

• Abhishek Bachchan calls pampered stars puppets
  
• Sanjay Dutt was not the makers' first choice for Munna bhai
• Mohini Dey reacted on the divorce connection with AR Rahman
• Anupam Kher said this on Bollywood's disappointing box office in 2024