Bhumi Pednekar Highlights Importance Of Safety For Women On Film Sets At IFFI Goa

The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has become a platform for discussing significant topics like women's safety and the impact of Indian cinema. Notable personalities, including actress Bhumi Pednekar and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, shared their insights during a panel discussion. The event highlighted cinema's role in shaping societal views, particularly among the youth.

During the panel, discussions focused on how women are portrayed in films and their safety on sets. Bhumi Pednekar shared her experiences, noting that she felt secure while working on her debut film and subsequent projects. She emphasised the supportive environment she encountered in the industry.

Bhumi Pednekar expressed, "My debut film 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."

The panel also included filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, known for creating strong female characters in his movies. He addressed issues like the casting couch, offering a unique perspective on maintaining self-respect and dignity in the industry.

Imtiaz Ali stated, "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."

This year's IFFI features over 270 films from around 81 countries. Alongside this cinematic showcase is Film Bazaar, an event where filmmakers can present their works at various stages of production to potential buyers and sellers.