Amid Hema Committee Revelations, Actress Khushbu Sundar Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse By Father

Actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar has praised the Kerala government-appointed Justice K Hema Committee, saying it's "much needed" to address the abuse faced by female professionals in cinema.

"The #MeToo moment prevailing in our industry breaks you," she wrote on her official X account.

"Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers exist in every field. Why is a woman alone expected to go through the grind?"

Sundar, a BJP leader, emphasised the importance of supporting victims of abuse.

"The victim might be a stranger to you or me, but she needs our support, an ear to listen, and emotional backing from us all."

She also shared her personal experience of being sexually abused by her father at the age of 8.

"I agree I should have spoken earlier. But what happened to me, was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused at the hands of the person who was supposed to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell."

Speaking with news channel NDTV, Sundar warned women to stand up for themselves.

"There was a producer who approached me... I removed my slippers and told him I wear 41 (the size). Do you want to take a whack right here or do you want me to hit you in front of the unit? And that put him in place."

She stressed the need for men to support women.

"Because we women work in an atmosphere thinking probably men around us would be there to support us and protect us. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen at times."