Harassment stories anger me: Raveena Tandon on #MeToo

Supporting India's #MeToo movement, Raveena Tandon says even though she has not been a victim of sexual harassment, the countless stories of ill-treatment of women anger her.

The 43-year-old actor said she has been through "professional harassment" in the film industry and hence understands the trauma.

"I was never sexually harassed as I was not the one to just take it. I would give it back. But I can imagine the trauma that the young girls go through. It is so sad and disheartening to hear these stories. It angers me.

"I have been through professional harassment. I did lose out on couple of films. There were few women journalists, who would tarnish our reputation in their magazines or newspapers. Like, from being called a liar to delusional liar, etc. They helped the heroes," Raveena told PTI.

Talking about her harassment experience, the actor said it was a disturbing phase as her reputation was maligned.

"They work in tandem to ruin an actress's life," she added, without taking any names.

In a cryptic tweet, recently, Raveena had said, "What defines harassment in a workplace? The fact that many industry wives and girlfriends are silent observers or instigators, when actor husbands destroy the careers of actresses after the chase and flirtation is over or have them replaced with other potential targets."
"It might not be sexual harassment but it is professional harassment. The clauses in the contracts need to be strong. If certain people have problem working with the actress then they should step away. Why ruin the girl's career?"
"Earlier there used to be an entire nexus, the producers guild and others would be scared to take action against the hero. Today action is being taken in the open."