Scare tactics in film industry must be stamped out

Art director Rajesh Sapte recorded a video before his demise

Following a Bollywood art director's death by suicide, members of the Indian Film and TV Producers' Council (IFTPC) met recently, said a report in this paper, to discuss actionable measures against harassment. A member present at the meeting said that the death has exposed the hafta culture.

On July 3 before his death, the Pune-based art director had made a video, accusing some people of harassment and extortion. It is said that art directors have been threatened on occasion that shoots would be disrupted if some amount is not paid. There is also a statement in the report about people dropping in on the sets in the name of some association or political party saying shoots have to be stopped till a certain amount is paid.

Let this be a catalyst into a deep dive into this phenomenon and safeguarding those who are participating in shoots. If some dues remain unpaid, resolve this through dialogue, if there is any extortion angle then that is a crime, and must be probed.

The point is that while an investigation is on in this matter, it is heartening to note that the targeted have approached the police for a more holistic approach. To stamp out the overall culture of intimidation and harassment that the film industry is facing.

There has to be some way of stopping any and everybody from the set. Then, there must be an avenue for complaints if intimidation begins with the relevant forum escalating matters to the police, if it gets out of hand and does not stop,

It is also shocking that groups of people claiming affiliation to political parties are into this. If these are indeed affiliates, then post complaints, parties need to swing into action and take up this matter. This death is a wake-up call to weed out the rot.