Over the years, your support has made Women’s Web the leading resource for women in India. Now, it is our turn to ask, how can we make this even more useful for you? Please take our short 5 minute questionnaire – your feedback is important to us!
Actress Shweta Basu Prasad won our hearts with her performance in movies like Iqbal, and Makdee. This video of Shweta Basu talking of her experiences after being accused of prostitution, is motivating.
We were all shocked when Shweta’s name appeared in an alleged prostitution case in Hyberabad two years ago. I could not relate the image to her character of the adorable Shruti in the TV series, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki in which she played the female protagonist, Parvati’s daughter.
The case attracted media hype and attention. There was a statement circulated by the media that Shweta had accepted the charges. Some celebrities sympathized with her, while others condemned the media for not reporting on the businessmen allegedly involved in the racket, and maligning the woman alone.
In an open letter to the media, Shweta later said that the charges and the statement were both fabricated. According to her, she was in Hyderabad for the Santosham Awards and her stay at the hotel was sponsored by the event organisers. The charges were subsequently withdrawn by the session courts in Hyderabad.
What would a young girl who has been through such an unpleasant and disturbing experience have to say? Wouldn’t she be bitter, embarrassed and humiliated by the whole episode? I was surprised to watch this interview video of Shweta Basu’s in which she confidently talks about moving on and how she is not going to let that one incident affect her (video shared below).
She says that would like to focus on her work, and is excited about her future acting assignments, which she wants to achieve on her merit, and not out of sympathy. She also recollects that after her detainment, she went to a rescue home where she stayed for 60 days. She speaks fondly of the time spent there, teaching kids Hindi, English and Hindustani Classical vocals, reading books and engaging herself productively.
Shweta is not indulging in self-pity and refuses to let herself be treated as a victim:
“The problem with our society is, as long as I was given sympathy and everyone went ‘awwww’, ‘poor girl’, ‘so sad’ and so on, everybody was supporting me. But, as soon as people understand that they got carried away by a false statement and a girl of 23 can be strong and can stand on her own feet without any sympathies, the society feels that she is lying?? What’s my fault if the news were the way they were? I cannot force anyone to like or respect me. These happen naturally. What happened was beyond my control.”
We have seen cases of women being depressed and humiliated by unwarranted media attention and cyber-crimes and may feel that they cannot recover from the damage. Shweta has spread a positive message about being strong in the times of distress, learning from the past and moving on.
Any woman, not necessarily a celebrity could go through an experience that is considered scarring by society, but life is too big, and has much more to offer. I respect Shweta for understanding this at a young age of 23!
I like to write about the problems that have plagued the Indian society. I feel that the concept of gender equality is still alien , and that has been the focus of my articles and posts. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
He said that he needed sometime to himself. I waited for him as any other woman would have done, and I gave him his space, I didn't want to be the clingy one.
Trigger Warning: This deals with mental trauma and depression, and may be triggering for survivors.
I am someone who believes in honesty and trust, I trust people easily and I think most of the times this habit of mine turns into bane.
This is a story of how a matrimonial website service turned into a nightmare for me, already traumatized by the two relationships I’ve had. It’s a story for every woman who lives her life on the principles of honesty and trust.
This can have a drastic effect on other victims of domestic violence. It will also encourage the abuser that they can now threaten their victim that he/she may end up like Amber Heard on the internet.
The lives of actors, be they from Hollywood or Bollywood, trouble my peace. Though they are worshipped by their fans, the real-life of many is quite troubled. It is scary to see what money and fame can do to a person. These are the people who have made me realize that fame and money are not that important.
I usually try to avoid reading about actors and their lives but there is no escape when the internet gets flooded with news and you come across it again and again as it happened with Aryan Khan’s arrest, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, or now Amber Heard v/s Johnny Depp case.
We clearly see the pattern of uncivilized society in the above-mentioned cases where the mass verdict is passed even before the jury or judge passes the sentence. Usually, there is no middle ground for these people who are just there to make a topic trending on the internet. One is black and the other is white, there are no shades of grey for these modern-day witch hunters.