Gouri Kishan Takes a Stand Against Body Shaming
In a recent event that has sparked a significant conversation within the Indian film industry, actor Gouri Kishan found herself confronting an unexpected and deeply personal question during a promotional press meet for her upcoming film, Others. Instead of discussing the movie's plot or her character, a journalist directed a query about her weight, specifically in the context of a scene where her male co-star, Aditya Madhavan, had to lift her.
Gouri Kishan did not hesitate to call out the question, immediately highlighting its inappropriate and sexist nature. She expressed her disappointment that the focus was on her physical appearance rather than her professional work, a scrutiny she noted was not applied to her male counterparts present at the event, director Abin Hariharan and actor Aditya Madhavan.
Journalist's Apology and Clarification
The journalist in question, RS Karthik, later addressed the controversy in a video shared by Manorama. He stated that he had been very disturbed by the fallout from the incident. Karthik explained that his question was intended to be a fun question and that he never meant to body-shame the actor.
I posed the question a certain way and she interpreted it differently, he said. If she has been hurt in any way... I apologise for that episode. I didn't have any other motives. This public apology was an attempt to clarify his stance and mitigate the widespread criticism he faced online and from industry peers.
Gouri's Official Statement and a Call for Change
Following the incident, Gouri Kishan released a powerful official statement on her social media accounts. She acknowledged that public scrutiny is part of her profession but firmly drew a line at questions targeting a person's body or appearance. I wish I had been asked questions about the film, she wrote. I cannot help but wonder if they would ask a male actor the same.
Her statement went beyond the single event, addressing the broader issue of normalising body shaming in jest. She used the platform to encourage others to speak up against such behaviour, stating, I hope this will be a reminder to anyone who has felt this way that we are allowed to speak up. We are allowed to express our discomfort, question when wronged, and work towards stopping this cycle.
In a move demonstrating remarkable maturity and empathy, Gouri explicitly requested her fans and the public not to target or harass the journalist. Let's use this moment instead to move forward with greater empathy, sensitivity, and respect on all sides, she urged, aiming to de-escalate the situation and foster a more constructive dialogue.
Silence of Co-star and Director Draws Scrutiny
The incident also put a spotlight on the reactions, or lack thereof, from Gouri's colleagues who were present. Many observers questioned why co-star Aditya Madhavan and director Abin Hariharan remained silent during the verbal exchange.
Madhavan later clarified in an interview with NDTV that he was taken aback and did not want to interrupt Gouri while she was making her point. If all of us had started talking, her point wouldn't have gone across, he explained.
Director Abin Hariharan also addressed the criticism via an Instagram video, attributing his silence to shock and inexperience with press conferences. He affirmed his support for Gouri, captioning the video, Sometimes, when conflicts strike unexpectedly, words lose direction... I stand with Gouri.
The actor received an outpouring of support from across the country, with many of her contemporaries and fans praising her for courageously taking a stand against body shaming and sexism in the industry.
