I'm Asked Why I Didn't Speak Earlier, It's Not Easy: Khushbu Sundar On Facing Father's Abuse

In light of the ongoing movement in the Malayalam film industry, actor-politician Khushbu Sundar has spoken out about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father when she was just eight years old, a revelation she first made in 2023. Reflecting on her experience, Khushbu expressed that she wishes she had spoken out about the assault sooner.

Khushbu Sundar Opens Up About Childhood Abuse

Khushbu, who is also a BJP leader and member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), took to social media to share her thoughts. "Some ask me what took me so long to speak about my father's abuse. I agree I should have spoken earlier. What happened to me was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused by the person who was supposed to provide me with the strongest arms to hold me if I fell," she wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Her post came as several actresses in the Malayalam film industry accused their male colleagues of sexual assault, following the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the industry. 

"This moment of #MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious," Khushbu commented. She emphasised the importance of the Hema Committee, stating, "The Hema Committee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it?"

Khushbu also pointed out that abuse and demands for sexual favours are not limited to the film industry. "Asking for sexual favours and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers exists in every field. Why is a woman alone expected to go through the grind?" she questioned, noting that while men also face such issues, women are disproportionately affected.

Khushbu concluded by addressing the fear many victims feel, saying, "The fear of being shamed and victim-blamed breaks the victim." She called on men to support victims, urging them to show "unwavering support" in these difficult situations.

💔 This moment of #MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious. ✊ The #HemaCommittee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it?

Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to…

— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) August 28, 2024

The actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar is best known for her work in Tamil films and acted in more than a thousand Tamil films. Here's everything we know about Khushbu Sundar.

All About Khushbu Sundar

• Born as Nakhat Khan, her parents gave her the stage name Khushbu when she started to become a child actress.
• The actor's political career began in 2010 after she joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. She quit DMK after four years and later joined the Indian National Congress.
• After 6 years in INC, she resigned and joined the Bharatiya Janta Party in October 2020.
• During the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2021, Sundar filed her nomination from the Thousand Lights assembly constituency seat.
• She lost the election by a margin of 32,200 votes to Ezhilan N of DMK.