Suhasini Maniratnam, the wife of Tamil filmmaker Mani Ratnam, recently shared a significant incident that sheds light on the challenges she faced on a movie set. At the Southern Rising Summit organized by ABP, she courageously recounted an instance where she stood her ground and refused to perform a scene that made her uncomfortable.

In this particular scene, she was asked to sit on the hero's lap and share the same ice cream, a situation that made her uneasy. Suhasini firmly declined, stating that it was inappropriate for a woman to sit on a man's lap in a park in India during that time. She also refused to share the ice cream, suggesting a modification to the scene by providing a separate ice cream.

She emphasized the importance of finding allies on set when standing up for oneself, acknowledging that it's challenging to face such battles alone. Suhasini mentioned that she would always seek support from someone on set, as solidarity was crucial in confronting uncomfortable situations.

Furthermore, she recounted a similar experience that her colleague, Shobhana, a National Award-winning actress, had faced. Shobhana was also met with resistance when refusing a scene, with the director questioning her actions by asking if she thought she was Suhasini. This incident reinforced the need for more assertiveness from actors in the industry, paving the way for a culture where refusal and setting boundaries are normalized.

Suhasini went on to share another instance where she refused to leave the car after hearing the lyrics of a song she was supposed to shoot. During those times, refusing requests on a movie set was considered unprecedented, highlighting the significance of her actions in challenging the status quo. Suhasini's accounts shed light on the importance of advocating for one's comfort and dignity in the film industry, paving the way for positive change and empowerment.