Vishal has opened up on the Me Too movement in the film industry. Talking to a news agency, the 'Pandem Kodi-2' actor has got frank and forthright.

"#MeToo started off with the best of intentions of exposing sexual predators. But somewhere, the movement has been hijacked by some amount of self-interest. We have come to a stage when anyone who has an axe to grind, maybe a role that was denied or a project that was promised and never fulfilled, coming forward to take revenge. It has come to a stage where I feel I may wake up to hear my name being maligned. This atmosphere of distrust, suspicion and fear must stop," Vishal says.

"There is a difference between exploitation and a consensual relationship. I have dated a couple of girls from the film industry. It doesn't mean I have exploited them," he observes.

"We are working towards ensuring protection against sexual harassment. My new release 'Sandakozhi 2' ('Pandem Kodi-2') features two major female characters, played by Keerthy Suresh and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. Both were ensured complete safety. When my films are shot, I will ensure the women are looked after well. We need to create the same comfort level for women in cinema across the country," he notes.