“Do You Want It Here or in Front of the Unit?” Khushbu Sundar Opens Up About Facing Harassment

Veteran actress and politician Khushbu Sundar has once again spoken out boldly, revealing shocking instances of harassment she faced during her early days in the film industry. Speaking at the ‘Women’s Safety in Cinema’ session as part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024, Khushbu highlighted the pervasive nature of harassment, not just in the entertainment sector but across various walks of life.

Khushbu shared an incident from her early career when a male co-star made an inappropriate proposition.
“He asked if I could adjust and give him an opportunity to sleep with me discreetly. I immediately took off my shoe and told him, ‘I’m wearing a size 41 shoe. Do you want me to hit you here or in front of the whole unit?’” she recounted.

At the time, Khushbu was a newcomer in the industry, yet she did not hesitate to stand up for herself.
“I didn’t think about my career or what would happen next. My self-respect mattered more to me than anything else. I believed that if I respect myself, others will respect me too.”

Khushbu emphasized that women must not tolerate harassment, regardless of where it occurs.
“Harassment is not limited to the film industry. It happens in planes, local trains, and even in shared autos. If you feel you are being harassed, you must react immediately. Don’t overthink, just respond,” she said.

The actress, who began her career as a child artist in Bollywood with The Burning Train in 1980, eventually rose to stardom in South Indian cinema. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada films, earning a massive fan following. Married to director Sundar C., Khushbu is also a mother of two daughters and an influential voice in politics and women’s empowerment.

Her courageous account has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many praising her for shedding light on the harsh realities of harassment in the film industry and encouraging women to prioritize self-respect and take a stand.