Following recent claims against cinematographer Pratik Shah, known for Homebound, Jubilee, and CTRL, industry producers are rallying for a new safeguard: an independent “advocacy officer.”
This move is supported by at least ten members of the Producers Guild of India and will be formally presented in mid-June. It could potentially reshape accountability across film and web projects.
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The advocacy officer would differ from existing Internal Complaints Committees by offering impartial, external oversight. Tasked with investigating allegations confidentially, interviewing all parties and collecting evidence, this role could recommend actions ranging from warnings to removal from projects.
Crucially, the officer would also provide ongoing training on harassment prevention and ensure that every production has a functional complaint redressal mechanism.
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Funding for this role would come from pooled contributions by producers, guilds, and talent agencies, helping preserve its independence and reduce conflicts of interest.
Now, while all of this seems promising on paper, how much of it will actually translate into real impact?
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In recent times, the number of harassment cases, especially in Bollywood, has gone up significantly.
An independent advocacy officer might be what’s needed to regulate these cases, provided the role remains truly independent and free from corruption.
Such a position only works when it genuinely serves victims. If it is influenced by big names or bribed into silence, the entire purpose is defeated.
It’s not that the South doesn’t face these issues either, but they are taking a step towards it as well. For instance, Parvathy Thiruvothu’s Hema Committee report investigates sexual violence and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry and aims to provide solutions.
This new proposal is one step towards finding a solution.
We can only hope this plan doesn’t stay confined to paper, and that concrete action follows in the name of justice.
