Singer Sona Mohapatra has always viewed herself as a warrior against sexual harassment in the music industry, having been among the first to accuse composer Anu Malik of misconduct. Although the #MeToo movement lost momentum, the recent Hema Committee report on power dynamics and casting couch culture in Malayalam cinema has renewed the discussion on these critical issues.

“This report is a validation of what many of us have been fighting for — safer workplaces and fair opportunities based on merit,” she says.

Reflecting on her career struggles, Mohapatra recounts being “thrown out” as a judge from a music reality show, which led to financial difficulties and the loss of her team.

“I couldn’t pay my team that year and even lost a USA tour. I was labelled a troublemaker, and no TV channel has approached me since to make amends. Meanwhile, the perverts, who were named by me and multiple other women, are happily back on national TV with youngsters around them. All of them, including Anu Malik, Kailash Kher (singer), Sajid Khan (director), Vikas Bahl (filmmaker) and several others, found space in the public domain to gloat over the fact that it is very much a man’s world.”

She adds, “Public memory is short, it often forgives these perverts quickly... Some, like Sonu Nigam (singer), expressed sympathy for Anu Malik losing work but demanded hard proof from survivors.” 

Despite facing setbacks for speaking out, Mohapatra remains steadfast: “I’m back with a new show, Lal Pari Mastani, winning awards across the world.”

We attempted to contact Anu Malik, Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam and Vikas Bahl for comments, but received no response.