Raju G. Mendez
Believe it or not! only what you want to believe, no matter what!
An actress who lodged complaints to the Police against a handful of actors in Malayalam film said, “I would have never thought of telling this. My tail of the tale alone would not suffice the whole of what it is all about, as long as the stories of others who also had suffered humiliations unique in nature but multiple in ways, unless be clubbed” She said.
The message is “this is only the tip of the iceberg” of Backlighting of horror moments,
Ranjith, Mukesh, Maniyan Pillai Raju, Jayasurya, Idavela Babu….the list goes endless! A war between the Pandavas and Kauravas on the battlefield of the Malayalam Film Industry.
They all could have captured the hearts of many with their graceful movements, infectious youthful energy, and the talents latent in them for acting that prompted, them to try their luck in the film industry.
All lost! since they couldn’t see the eyes of the promiscuous beneath their hats! They said.
The actresses said, “We hadn’t known it before but we do know it now”. “Now as we have come around under the strong wings of Hema Committee, a testament to the power of our dedication, diligence, and determination, we are now free to soar high”.
Their knowledge about the dirty games prevalent in their chosen dream career was not up to the mark. For quite a longer period of time, the women, right from the whinings of junior artists, this secret affair- an undercurrent- the bane for all troubles, was out of their reach as they were novices.
However, nowadays It doesn’t demand much effort from their side, to confidently and boldly express their long-suppressed resentment against the devilish way of getting their perverted minds gratified by inflicting it forcefully upon the self-respect, dignity, and modesty of the girls and women whose mansions of long cherished dreams were demolished, without their consent. A rape!
In India, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860 governs the crime of rape under Sections 375 and 376.
The promiscuous fooling around with false promises did not really meet with approval from the women who now robed in the suit of armor Hema Committee incarnated as an angel to equip them to shut down the ‘knocked’ doors forever, of ‘losing one’s self-respect’ in the nasty bargain, just before they had a chance with their career.
For the debauched, it was a slip between the cup and the lip while for the genuine female artists, it is an escape from sexual harassment by a hair’s breadth. Kudos! to the Hema Committee!
The harsh moments of getting shattered of their inner spirit by a bolt from the blues they couldn’t easily digest and still struggle to come to terms with the reality. The only fault on their part was that they loved acting more than they loved any other lucrative or decent jobs they could have attained, had they wished! In fact many had already quit the fiefdom of ‘lust of the flesh’, looking for greener pastures, where they would get equal respect, recognition, and dignity
An artist is right behind God. Or Next to God.
The artist’s colors are almost transparent and infused with a light of their own. ‘An Aura of Mystery that radiates’ The internal light that guides their spirit is the only asset they have. So light-hearted they are,so plain in the pursuit of their journey of self-actualization. Let not these criminals make the artist’s realm a murky World!
It was not just a romantic game for them, but rather a well-chosen mission, working on it on an everyday basis meticulously, directed towards fulfilling their dreams in ways aplenty by establishing themselves on their well-chosen career, for taking care of their families, getting along well with the society, opening the doors of the joy of success and fearlessness, thus live their lives in its fullness!.
But the predators tried to take the ‘ easy ones ‘ for a ride having harmful and malicious intent, brushing it aside as a little silly joke going along with other funny recreations of theirs. However, cutting the ‘casting couch’ short, before they could come up with prevarication, sudden crucial turns of their heads convened like an army to wage war against their own fear of existential anxiety, the meaningless of life, or the insignificance of self.
‘What do you suppose they will be able to do in retaliation for our action? The questions they asked among themselves by stopping to look downhearted into their face, gaining strength, courage, and confidence.
Then there was a sudden turn of the promiscuous group of heads, checking to see what the other group of heads were up to, oblivious of them being in danger, as their conscience was overtaken by fame, money, power, and ego.
Last day, trying hard his stooped head straightened up, Mohanlal the superstar was destined to respond at a public function in Thiruvananthapuram on 31st August.
He said, “The whole self of the Malayalam Film Industry which serves as a source of income for many in various ways for their making a living is now melting away due to the sudden strike of an issue like this”. He was well prepared not to respond to the media to answer further crucial questions. He seemed like saving his skin more quickly, growing tired and clumsy of himself with beads of sweat on his foreheads., rapidly losing his strength and rushing towards his next schedule. An escapism from his own weaknesses.
Leadership is not about glossing over oneself, but about being an impetus that can offer a course of correction without which it sounds highly deplorable as It is our human instinct to ‘follow’ or ‘look up to’ the so-called stars, an authority figure, perhaps, an undue recognition given to them. What celebrities really have done is replace authority figures like political leaders, kings, and queens, or religious leaders, already renowned and upcoming writers. Why are we so obsessed with celebrities? For the better or for the worse?
As everyone agrees, such unterrain deeds are rampant in every field of activity of human beings. Mohanlal also mentioned the same in his speech. However, that is not going to be the justification for the outrageous deeds done to a society craving to become an egalitarian one.
Researchers have found that it is the work of a brain hormone called kisspeptin, that drives both attraction to the opposite sex and sexual behaviors, an advance that can lead to treatment for patients with psychosexual disorders.
The best solution would be to study the text ‘Sex and Repression in savage society’ by Malinowski, Bronislaw, 1884-1942
Still! We need greater movies representing the present era of innovations and entertainment depicting the urban and non-urban as well as culturally, socially, economically, and above all morally enabling the viewers to admire them as the best source of information. Let there arise a new ‘power group ‘ which shall safeguard everyone equally.
“Where there is no exploitation of any kind, songs that tell of the happiest thoughts, and laughter with some pleasure is fraught”
( Raju G. Mendez is a language and life skills trainer, writer, and Journalist based in Thiruvananthapuram )
