Fortunate My Name Hasn’t Come Out in #MeToo: Shatrughan Sinha

The actor-politician said his comments should be taken in the “right humour”.

Shatrughan Sinha and wife Poonam at an event in Mumbai.

(Photo: Yogen Shah)

Veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday said behind a successful man's fall is a woman but clarified that he was not making fun of the #MeToo movement and his comments should be taken in the "right humour".

“Today is the time of #MeToo, and there shouldn’t be any shame or hesitation to say that behind a successful man’s fall is a woman. Behind the troubles and infamy of successful men, there have been mostly women that I’ve seen in this movement,” he said at a book launch in Mumbai. 

Shatrughan Sinha on #MeToo

“I really call myself fortunate that in today’s times, tamam harkate karne kay bawajood (despite everything that I’ve done), my name hasn’t come out in the #MeToo movement. Hence, I listen to my wife and often take her as a shield with me so that even if there’s nothing, I can show, ‘I am happily married, my life is good.’”

Shatrughan Sinha

Sinha said his wife, Poonam, is a "goddess" and his "everything". "Even if anyone wants to say anything about me, please don't say,'" he added.

The #MeToo movement hit Bollywood last year and saw several women coming out with their horror stories of sexual harassment and rape by actors and filmmakers from the industry. When asked whether he was making fun of the movement, Sinha backtracked and said his statement should be taken in "right humour."

"Don't take it otherwise. Please take it with a plain sense of humour. I highly appreciate and applaud the women, who, better late than never, have come forward... I salute their courage and guts. But beyond that, I don't want to go further at this hour because it's a book launch event and we should not cross our limits. But having said this, I understand what you are saying and I am highly supportive of what you said," he added.

Sinha had previously told IANS that the #MeToo movement has been ‘blown out of proportion’. He had stated that he would work with accused director Subhash Ghai even if allegations against him were to be proven true. “If he is proven innocent, why not? Even if he is proven guilty and he serves the punishment given to him, I’d work with him,” he said.