Title: Sexual exploitation a hallmark of showbiz: Bee Gul
Share:
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Facebook
Description:
Writer extraordinaire and proud feminist Bee Gul can sleep easy at night knowing one thing: that all her achievements in the showbiz industry have been on her own terms.
Appearing as a guest on Rafay Mahmood’s podcast, the Jamun Ka Darakht writer addressed head-on the sexual exploitation running rampant in the showbiz world – and how she prevailed in a toxic industry filled with lewd requests.
“It is so common that any girl who enters the industry considers it normal,” declared Bee in a matter-of-fact tone, ripping to shreds the misguided notion that the industry could ever be “paak saaf”. “It happens everywhere I know. Women are mentally prepared for it. They know that at some point, they will have to trade off their body or beauty.”
Bee is adamant that granting sexual favours is such an entrenched part of climbing the ladder to success that often if women are to progress, they have no choice but to give in. “For so many, it is their only way to the top, no matter how good an actor they are otherwise."
Ever aware of the ominous sound of the clock ticking, Bee warned that women actors over 35 have already reached their expiration date. With the pressure on, they are often forced to compromise their values in the race to get ahead. “There is a limited age bracket here,” she explained. “They can’t afford to waste so much time struggling. If the age bracket was relaxed, who knows, things might be different.”
Bee cited the example of a friend who was a skilled actor but was forced to leave the field after being unable to break through. The reason? A staunch refusal to compromise on values. However, whilst such stubbornness may signal the death of a showbiz career for some, Bee went on to elaborate that certain newcomers in the industry were more liable to be exploited than others.
“Many of the girls who are entering the field now are educated and financially stable - and those girls are treated differently,” noted the screenwriter. “It is the ambitious girls who have never had much and yearned for a better life – those are the girls who end up making compromises.”
Bee was quick to add that she was in no way judging the women who did what they could to climb the ladder to success in a world pitted against them. “There’s nothing wrong with it,” she stated. “It is a personal choice.” It was a personal choice, however, that Bee herself never made. “I was offered so many things,” she reminisced. “I was even offered an apartment in New York! I regret not taking that!” she added with a laugh. “They even promise you vacations in Dubai. It’s so tempting! My own father would never give me an apartment in New York, and I can’t afford seven-star vacations!”
In all seriousness, Bee added that she had never set out to chase the material rewards dangled before her in the name of progress. With her short film Jamun Ka Darakht having received global recognition at the Cannes film festival and in the US, it is evident that Bee has prevailed against the odds, albeit with less financial success than some of her peers.
“What I’m trying to say is, I survived,” she said firmly. “They couldn’t kill me just because I wasn’t giving in. They tried to make me irrelevant - and they still do - but if you choose not to give in, there are ways of living in this industry. It isn’t a do-or-die situation.”
According to Bee, the question of whether or not to stand your ground in such a toxic environment all boils down to knowing what you want in life. “You need to have clarity about what you want,” she advised. “To me, what is important is being able to pay my bills and driving a reasonable car.” Bee may be forced to live like a mere mortal as a consequence of standing her ground, but today, her scripts slating misogyny and patriarchy continue to shine.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments.
Published Date: 08-May-2024
Share:
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Facebook
