'Should've Spoken Earlier': Khushbu Sundar On Abuse By Father Amid Malayalam Cinema's #MeToo Moment

Actor-politician Khushbu Sundar on Wednesday said she should have spoken about the abuse she faced by her father, much earlier, a revelation she made last year.

“I was abused at the hands of the person who was suppose to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell,” she tweeted.

“Some ask me what took me so long to speak about my father’s abuse. I agree I should have spoken earlier. But what happened to me, was not a compromise to build my career,” she wrote.

In 2023, Sundar revealed she was abused by her father at the age of eight and had revolted against the same at the age of 15, after which her father left the family in the lurch.

Her post comes in the wake of the 2017 actress assault case, an investigation and a report into which, by the Kerala government-appointed Justice Hema Committee, revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. It also revealed the exploitation and abuse of women, leading to many women actors coming out with allegations of harassment at the hands of their male counterparts and other men in the cinema industry.

The BJP leader also backed the Committee and said it was “much needed” to break the abuse faced by female professionals in Malayalam cinema.

Through her post, Sundar also urged women not to compromise and men to speak up for victims of sexual harassment.

“This moment of MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious. The Hema Committee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it?”, Sundar wrote on X.

“To all the men out there, I implore you to stand by the victim and show your unwavering support. Every man was born to a woman who endured incredible pain and sacrifice. Many women play indispensable roles in your upbringing, shaping you into the person you are today—your mothers, sisters, aunts, teachers, and friends,” her post read.

“Abuse, asking for sexual favours, 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? Although men too face it, it’s marginally women who bear the brunt,” Sundar tweeted.

“The fear of being shamed, victim blaming, and questions like “why did you do it” or “What made you do it” break the woman,” she wrote.

“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. When questioning why she didn’t come out earlier, we need to consider her circumstances – not everyone is privileged to speak out,” her post read.

The BJP leader also said she believed that the society can pave the way for a safer world by stepping up together.

“Remember, we are stronger together, and only together can we mend these wounds and pave the way for a safer, more compassionate world,” she wrote.

“Let’s understand that many women don’t even have the support of their families. They come from small towns with stars in their eyes, hoping to shine brightly but often find their dreams nipped and crushed at the bud,” her post read.

On August 25, amidst allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the Kerala government announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team.

Subsequently, many complaints surfaced, creating ripples in the Malayalam film industry.