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HUMA QURESHI:
WE AREN’T AS OPEN
AS HOLLYWOOD
ACTRESSES IN
ADDRESSING SEXUAL
HARASSMENT AT WORK
should join the fight against sexual harassment?
We are yet to be as open as Hollywood actresses in
terms of addressing sexual harassment at workplace.
But, I do hope that changes. The battle against sexual
harassment has to be fought both by men and women.
A #MeToo moment is welcome, but I think women fear
backlash in our society so much that they would rather
not come out. We must create space and security for
women to speak out against sexual crimes.
As an artiste, what does the Cannes film festival mean
to you? Did you manage to catch some of the films in
competition?
Huma Qureshi’s first appearance at Cannes Film Festival happened six Cannes is a mix of films and fashion. It gives filmmak-
years ago, when she made her acting debut with ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’. ers from across the world an opportunity to showcase
The film was screened as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section at the their artistic brilliance. I hope there are more film fes-
prestigious festival. This time around, Huma visited Cannes as part of the tivals like this, not just in other parts of the world, but
Government of India’s contingent of artistes, who were there to talk about also in India. I didn’t get a chance to watch too many
independent cinema. BT caught up with the actress and got her to talk about films, but I watched ‘Manto’. I love Nandita Das as an
her recent sojourn to the French Riviera, fashion, films and the #MeToo actor, and I knew that she would make an excellent
campaign. Excerpts… film. ‘Manto’s story is relevant even today. I also met
Did your sartorial choices for Cannes play out the way you envisaged? Also, Rima Das, who has made ‘Village Rockstars’ (Won this
in today’s day and age, do you think that it’s important for an actress to be a year’s National Award in the Best Feature Film cate-
fashionista as well? gory). I missed Asghar Farhadi’s ‘Everybody Knows’,
We barely had two weeks to put it all together. I was new to the red carpet which I was keen on watching.
game and didn’t want to compete with anyone. Some of my Indian designer Your upcoming film (‘Kaala’) is opposite Rajinikanth.
friends went out of their way to make some exquisite clothes for me. It was Tell us about your experience of sharing screen space
very confusing, because people were giving my team all sorts of advice, but with him... Was learning Tamil a difficult task?
eventually, we followed our instinct. I completely trusted my team’s vision. Working with Rajini sir is a dream come true for any
Fashion is definitely important, but my aim was to enjoy the festival. I think actor; it was a humbling and learning experience. Not
that reflects in the pictures, too. only is he immensely talented and professional, but
While you spoke up about sexual harassment at work in Cannes, many of also a warm person. Learning Tamil was challenging,
your contemporaries talk about it as something that happens to others. The but the team was supportive and helped me a great
way the West has taken on the issue head on, are you hopeful that it will deal. I would converse with them in Tamil and that
ever happen in the Indian film industry? Also, do you think that men, too, made it easier to pick up the language.
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