Sona Mohapatra on Hema Committee report: ‘I was thrown out of reality shows, branded a troublemaker’

Sona Mohapatra has never considered herself a victim; instead, she sees her experience as a warrior facing

sexual harassment

in the workplace. Mohapatra was one of the first people to accuse music composer Anu Malik in public of harassing her and making offensive remarks.
Despite her early advocacy, the

#MeToo campaign

gradually lost ground over time. But conversations on these important problems have resumed in light of the recent Hema Committee report, which revealed the prevalent power dynamics and

casting couch culture

in the Malayalam film industry.

During a conversation with Hindustan Times, when Sona was questioned about whether this report will result in beneficial changes, Mohapatra reflected and believed that the current state of the Hindi film industry is an improvement over previous years. The conversations surrounding appropriate

workplace behavior

have increased awareness on the issue. Several production houses have implemented redressal mechanisms, including forms for reporting misconduct and escalating issues. There is also a greater understanding of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) guidelines. Overall, there is a sense of progress and positivity in the industry.
Despite facing obstacles in her career as a result of her vocal opposition to injustice, Mohapatra persisted. She emphasizes the value of perseverance in the face of difficulties. “Public memory is indeed short and forgives these perverts in a jiffy. While I am finally back on the saddle after my vanwaas having launched a new show, Lal Pari Mastani, making my own documentary and winning awards across the world, I do believe this report is a validation of what many of us are fighting for—safer workplaces and winning, based on merit and fair opportunity,” she stated.

In retrospect, Mohapatra talked about her experiences being “thrown out” of a music reality show as a judge. The singer said that she was unable to pay out her team that year, having even lost a USA tour, and had to eventually let them go. She was branded a troublemaker, a difficult professional, and to this day no TV channel has reached out to her to make amends.
She shared, “Meanwhile, the perverts- who multiple including myself named- are happily back on national TV with youngsters around them,” and further added that Anu Malik, Kailash Kher, Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl, and others have all been given a platform in the public sphere to boast about the dominance of men in society.

Mohapatra also notes how the general public responds to her stance. “Many men and even women I know are of the belief that people like me should let bygones be bygones and move on,” she shared.
She concluded by saying, “Some like Sonu Nigam expressed deep concern and sympathy for Anu (Malik) losing work in the public domain while they demanded hard proof from the survivors. That a 15-year-old Shweta Pandit shared her disturbing experience with him or several others, that didn’t hurt him (Nigam) that much; Anu losing some temporary work did!”