In a revealing interview, acclaimed actress Konkona Sen Sharma has opened up about the gender-based inequalities and cases of sexual harassment that persist on film sets. Speaking with Sucharita Tyagi on her YouTube channel, Konkona shared her concerns about the mistreatment of women in the film industry, emphasizing that many such incidents never come to light.
Konkona, who has been part of the industry for over two decades, addressed the prevalent hierarchy on sets, where individuals are treated differently based on gender, class, or caste. “It’s hugely problematic, patriarchal, regressive, and hierarchical,” she explained. Konkona highlighted how even basic things like access to facilities, seating arrangements, and catering on set are often determined by one’s status, pointing to the inherent biases.
The Page 3 actress expressed her distress over how female crew members, especially those who are not in senior positions, are treated like “furniture” or mere “equipment.” She described the subtle yet pervasive ways in which their bodies are disrespected, explaining, “It’s the small things all the time you are seeing everywhere. It’s very difficult to work in that environment.”
Shocking as it may seem, Konkona revealed that numerous instances of sexual harassment on sets remain unreported. Despite the ongoing conversations about gender equality and safe work environments, many women continue to face challenging and uncomfortable situations on film sets. Konkona’s observations reflect the need for systemic change in the entertainment industry, where respect and equality should be extended to all, regardless of their role or status.
As more voices like Konkona’s speak out, the hope is that the film industry will take meaningful steps to address these issues and create a safer, more inclusive environment for all women on set.
On the work front, Konkona was last seen in Killer Soup and is currently working on her upcoming film Metro… In Dino.
This conversation serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking up and creating awareness about the treatment of women in all workplaces, including the entertainment industry.