Moved by the huge success of Gangubai Kathiawadi, the film that has grossed over Rs 63 cr in just 6 days, noted Bollywood actor Huma Qureshi, who plays a special role in the film that has put the spotlight back on red light areas, has called for legalisation of the profession of prostitution.
The actress reasoned that once legalised, the authorities can keep a tab on the business and the biggest advantage then will be it will go a long way in preventing minors from being trapped in the vicious web of flesh trade.
Huma was today speaking at the Odisha Television Network's (OTV) annual conclave 'Foresight' in Bhubaneswar.
“Minors are being forced into sex trade. This is because it is still an unorganised trade. Minor girls and boys are tricked into the profession illegally. Legalisation is necessary in order to regulate and monitor the profession. This is how we can ensure no forced induction of minors and reluctant adults into the trade," she observed.
To drive home her point, the actress cited her critically acclaimed movie Badlapur. Huma said, “I played the character of a sex worker in the movie who gets physically assaulted by the protagonist. In that case, who does she complain to? Is there anybody who will empathise with a sex worker who has been assaulted. Though she may be a sex worker, she is a human being too and she has every right to say no.”
“In that regard, I think legalising the trade would go a long way for mitigating the traumas the sex workers are faced with” she opined.
Reflecting on the film Gangubai Kathiawadi and sex trade, Huma said this is a very controversial topic where people easily get offended and, even, get restive. I belong to a middle-class family where sex trade is considered a menial job. But the way Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose to tell the story, it delivered a perspective on the traits of the trade.
"I liked the way director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has mooted a very progressive idea of legalising sex trade in the country, in order to abolish the societal taboo associated with it," she said.