India’s #MeToo: Anu Malik Steps Down As ‘Indian Idol 10’ Judge
Anu Malik confirms his exit from the show.
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Veteran music composer Anu Malik, who is under fire for numerous allegations of sexual harassment, has been asked to step down as a judge for Indian Idol 10.
After singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit accused Malik of sexual harassment, two budding singers levelled similar allegations against him. According to a source, the music director will no longer be shooting episodes of the singing reality show from 22 October onwards.
"I have issued a statement to the channel - ‘I, Anu Malik, have decided to take a break from Indian Idol as I am currently unable to focus on my work on the show.’ The channel has been kind to agree for the same. Thank you,'' Anu Malik told Republic TV.
The composer told The Indian Express, “They have not asked me to step down. I have taken this stand.”
‘Anu Malik is no longer a part of Indian Idol jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule & we'll invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal and Neha to judge extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10: Sony Entertainment Television,’ - read Sony TV’s statement to ANI.
A lawyer for the music director denied the claims against him, saying India's #MeToo movement is being used for his client's "character assassination". Malik has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Noted lyricist Sameer Anjaan also came to Malik's defence and tweeted that he was present during the time Pandit is talking about but no such incident took place.
Malik has been one of the judges on Indian Idol since the show first aired in 2004.
Vishal Dadlani and Neha Kakkar are the other two judges on the panel currently of the show, which airs on Sony Entertainment Television.
With inputs from PTI.
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