It Shouldn’t Be Trial by Media but Trial by Law: Richa on Hirani

Hirani is the latest name to be called out for sexual harassment in the wake of #MeToo movement.

Richa Chadha at the launch of the Shakeela calendar. 

(Photo: Yogen Shah)

Bollywood has largely been silent about the sexual assault allegation against filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani and actor Richa Chadha believes that is because they are not aware of the facts of the case.

Hirani is the latest name to be called out for sexual harassment with a woman "assistant" alleging in an article in HuffPost India that he sexually abused her more than once between March and September 2018 while working on Sanju.

When asked if the industry was quiet about Hirani as he is a powerful director, Richa told reporters,

“It isn’t power structure. I think everyone is tentative because they don’t know the facts of the case. Legally, a publication is allowed to run a story because they vet it with their legal team. But it’s an anonymous allegation. I’m not defending him or the girl either. I’ve learnt it the hard way. A friend of mine was falsely accused. This is the only reason why I feel people are tentative.”

Richa Chadha, Actor

The actor said her upcoming film Section 375 debates about consent and said if survivors come out and share their stories, they must be supported.

“If there’s a survivor willing to come forward and say ‘this happened to me’ and confide in people, we must support her. Which is why I vocally supported Vinta Nanda. He (Hirani) is one of the directors with the cleanest image, you must not forget that. There have been others who were accused but nobody said anything.”

The actor was speaking at a special event of her upcoming Shakeela where she launched calendars of the film.

Richa Chadha at the event. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

Richa said she has understood that the best thing to do in #MeToo movement is to take the legal route.

"The press also plays a role. When you print a hearsay, the powerful will suppress the story but many people get caught up in rumours. It has to be looked at from both sides."

The Masaan actor said a bad date, a relationship gone sour or vendetta is not #MeToo.

"We are talking about 2019, if exploitation has happened, you should definitely go to the police and take legal route. A lot of people suffer in trial by media. I'm very enthusiastic about the movement because it's very important.

“If women don’t feel safe, then how will the work be done. It shouldn’t be trial by media but trial by law. If you’ve filed a complaint then don’t back out. If someone is putting pressure on you, voice it. There are people who’ll hear you.”

While most in Bollywood have refused to speak on the issue, Hirani's previous collaborators Arshad Warsi, Dia Mirza and Sharman Joshi have batted for the filmmaker.

The director also found support in veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who called him the "most decent" person in the industry.