Actor Payal Ghosh, who has worked in films like Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi and Prayanam, recently in an interview with ABN Telugu accused filmmaker Anurag Kashyap of forcing himself on her. However, he has dismissed all allegations in a series of tweets and described it as “an attempt to silence” him.
He posted a long thread on Twitter in Hindi, saying, “Wow, it took you so long to make an attempt to silence me. Never mind… in a bid to silence me, you have dragged another woman in this, despite being a woman. Please stick to the limits, Madame. All I want to say is all allegations are baseless.”
Payal Gosh also alleged that after sexually harassing her, Anurag Kashyap had told her that “it is okay” because other actresses he has worked with like Huma Qureshi (Gangs Of Wasseypur) and Mahi Gill (Dev D) “are just a call away.”
To this, Kashyap wrote, “Whether it’s my first wife or second, or a girlfriend… or all those actresses who worked with me… or all those female colleagues who have been working with me… I don’t indulge in such behaviour in public or otherwise. Neither do I tolerate such behaviour. Rest, whatever happens… let’s see. In the video, you can figure how true the allegations are… otherwise, just love and good wishes for you. Apologies for replying to you in Hindi for your accusations in English.”
बाक़ी मुझपे आरोप लगाते लगाते, मेरे कलाकारों और बच्चन परिवार को संग में घसीटना तो मतलब नहले पे चौका भी नहीं मार पाए।मैडम दो शादियाँ की हैं,अगर वो जुर्म है तो मंज़ूर है और बहुत प्रेम किया है , वो भी क़बूलता हूँ । चाहे मेरी पहली पत्नी हों, या दूसरी पत्नी हों या २/४
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 19, 2020
मैं इस तरह का व्यवहार ना तो कभी करता हूँ ना तो कभी किसी क़ीमत पे बर्दाश्त करता हूँ । बाक़ी जो भी होता है देखते हैं । आपके विडीओ में ही दिख जाता है कितना सच है कितना नहीं , बाक़ी आपको बस दुआ और प्यार ।आपकी अंग्रेज़ी का जवाब हिंदी में देने के लिए माफ़ी ।
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 19, 2020
He also wrote that this was just the beginning of the attacks coming his way and even said that he received a number of phone calls, asking him to not respond.
On Saturday, Payal Ghosh appealed to PM Modi asking for help. She wrote, “Anurag Kashyap has forced himself on me and extremely badly. Narendra Modi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Pls help!”
@anuragkashyap72 has forced himself on me and extremely badly. @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Pls help! https://t.co/1q6BYsZpyx
— Payal Ghosh (@iampayalghosh) September 19, 2020
Reacting to Ghosh’s tweets, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma asked the actress to send a detailed complaint on the issue and assured her that the commission will look into the matter.
Actor Taapsee Pannu posted a picture with the filmmaker saying that he is a feminist and showed her solidarity with him.
She said, “For you, my friend, are the biggest feminist I know. See you on the sets soon of yet another piece of art that shows how powerful and significant women are in the world you create 🙂 🤗”
A few years back, Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual abuse during India’s #MeToo movement. Anurag Kashyap, who co-founded Phantom Films with Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, dissolved the production house soon after. After the allegations, Kashyap and Motwane issued statements in which they said that they believe Bahl is guilty of the crime.
