Actress back to work, Prithviraj lauds her courage

“Today (Saturday) as my dear friend walks in to the sets... I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life,” Prithviraj posted on Facebook. “Today she makes a statement… A statement that will echo through time, space and gender -— that no one or no incident has control over your life but you. A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend are making in a million unheard voices,” he added.

Prithviraj apologised for being part of films that celebrated misogyny. “I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued,” he wrote. “Never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes, I’m an actor and this is my craft! I will wholeheartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses, but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen,” he added. The post has now gone viral on social media with both the film industry and public praising her move.

The actress was expected to meet the media on Saturday but the event was called off after the police told her not to. She will speak to the media only after completing an identification parade. State Minister for Social Justice and Health KK Shailaja also said that she was happy that the actress has returned to work. “If the victim goes into a shell, it’s going to send a wrong message to the perpetrators... I applaud the actress for her brave decision to return. All of us are fully behind her,” Shailaja said.