Bollywood’s #MeToo movement gains momentum after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of Horn OK Pleasss in 2008. Since then, many survivors have spoken out and named their alleged harassers on Twitter. TV producer Vinta Nanda accused the lead actor of Tara, Alok Nath of raping her almost 19 years ago. Queen director, Vikas Bahl has also been accused of sexual assault by an ex-employee of the now dissolved Phantom Films. Filmmakers Sajid Khan and Subhash Ghai have also been accused by women of sexual harassment and assault.
Alok Nath files a defamation case against Vinta Nanda
Sajid Khan, Nana Patekar exit ‘Housefull 4’
Filmmakers Subhash Ghai and Sajid Khan accused of sexual assault
Aamir Khan steps away from ‘Mogul’ after case against director Subhash Kapoor resurfaces
Multiple allegations surface against Alok Nath
Trigger Warning: The following article contains details about sexual assault and violence. The details may be traumatic for survivors. Reader discretion is advised.
Farhan Akhtar's Sharp Retort to Amrita Puri
I deeply resent your insinuation that me or my family knew of his behaviour yet did nothing. Your anger is justified. Your conspiracy theories not, wrote Farhan Akhtar.
Accused Ashish Patil Sent on 'Administrative Leave' by Yash Raj Films
An anonymous account named Ashish Patil, the Business Head of Y-Films in the #MeToo movement.
The YRF spokesperson told Times Now, “Ashish Patil has been asked to proceed on administrative leave till YRF thoroughly investigates the allegations levelled on him. YRF has earnestly requested the survivor to kindly step forward and share her account of the incidents to the Presiding Officer of our Internal Complaints Committee who would maintain utmost confidentiality. We seek her kind cooperation in the investigation so that we can appropriately address this issue. We are more than willing to extend our full support and cooperation to address this serious allegation. YRF has zero tolerance towards any form of sexual exploitation or harassment of women and we shall take the strictest necessary action against the alleged perpetrator, if the allegations of sexual harassment are found to be true.”
Relatives Are the Real Creeps: Tahira Kashyap on #MeToo
As the #MeToo movement has gained momentum in India, writer-director Tahira Kashyap, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife, says sometimes, relatives can be the "real creeps". The 35-year-old, who dealt with sexual harassment in childhood, revealed her #MeToo story via a long post on Twitter.
"I found solace after around 20 years when I shared the same with my husband and parents. Often the closest people, especially the relatives in your life (those whom everyone trusts), are the real creeps. I know how it feels to be violated and stifled inside for years altogether and how the memories of it makes one shudder," Kashyap tweeted.
Kashyap says she used to be scared of a physical touch and said it was Ayushmann who healed her scars with love and patience.
"I was so scared of a physical touch that when I started dating my husband (then boyfriend) I would cry at every step of physical proximity. His patience and love healed me."
Even after the birth of their first child, "the memories of the torment" still haunted her.
"I know a heavy load was off my chest when even after having my first child, the memories of the torment still haunted me and for some reason I decided to tell my husband and parents about my childhood trauma."
Kashyap said the #MeToo movement is not only for the popular faces, and feels women from across all quarters must not feel ashamed to expose men who cross their boundaries. "Please do not feel ashamed to expose the transgressor and most of all we haven't brought it upon ourselves as women, teenagers, adolescents. And in my case, being a child. I urge you to not stay silent. Also we should maintain the sanctity of this movement and not let our personal vendetta or spurious stories kill the movement."
The Toffee director also appreciated men for taking a part in the #MeToo movement and encouraging women to speak up the truth. "Not all men think this way. When I see men giving a big push to this movement, I know the battle isn't lost," she added.
I Have Also Been Harassed in My Career: Saif Ali Khan
The Sacred Games star said he faced harassment years ago, even though it was not sexual in nature. “I have also been harassed in my career, not sexually, but I have been harassed 25 years ago and I am still angry about it,” Saif told PTI. “Most people don’t understand other people. It is very difficult to understand other people’s pain. I don’t want to talk about it because I am not important today. Even when I think about what happened with me I still get angry. Today, we have to look after women,” he added.
Read the story here.