The storm that is the #MeToo movement has now spread across the world and the number of sexual harassment stories that we are listening to every day is only increasing. After women in Hollywood showed the courage to speak up and share their stories during Time’s Up campaign, many Bollywood actors opted out of the movement by stating that the campaign will never work in India as our country and the industry is not ready for it.
A few months later, look where we are. Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment story has revived the #MeToo campaign, the courage she has shown in sharing her story has inspired other women to come forward to reveal the sleazy side of many industry big wigs. The country is finally beginning to feel the rage as the list of harassers has names of ‘reputed’ people like Nana Patekar, Vikas Bahl and even our sanskaari babuji Alok Nath.
Actresses are speaking up about the past assualts and are openly talking about what they went through, how they feel, and know that they have the support of their friends, colleagues and the country. So here’s how B-town celebs are reacting to #MeToo stories.
1. Shruti Seth was shocked to read Vinta Nanda account about Alok Nath
Oh my God!!!!! This is horrific. @vintananda you brave woman. Thank you for telling your story and hopefully helping million others from suffering the same. Bravo! https://t.co/12qOs2M5LF
— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) October 8, 2018
2. Sushant Singh’s reaction to Alok Nath’s case
Dear @vintananda I am so so sorry. As @CintaaOfficial a show-cause Notice will be sent to @aloknath first thing in the mrng, why he shudnt b expld. Unfortunately we’ve to follow the due process. I urge u to file a complaint against this vile creature, we extend u full support.
— sushant singh (@sushant_says) October 8, 2018
3. Swara Bhasker on Alok Nath case
Heart wrenching. 😢😢😢😢 https://t.co/myVEYDAfTu
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) October 8, 2018
4. Kailash Kher’s response to being accused of sexual harassment
“For all those who know me and have come across me, will know how much I respect humanity, especially women, even more for the ones who work in media since their work is difficult,” the singer shared with IANS.
(1)
My #MeToo has singer Kailesh Kher & model Zulfi Syed, from when I was a newly appointed young woman photographer at Hindustan Times in Bombay, 2006.
Tweeting this thread for all to draw strength & speak out
❤️@photowallah@shubhangisapien@TheRestlessQuil@AnooBhu@weeny— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(3)#MeToo
We were appalled & left as soon as possible. I discussed with my colleague the idea of writing the interview from the point of view of unwelcome sexual molestation but she said the paper would never publish it because it would be libel (even if we were both witnesses)— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(5)#MeToo
The near sexual assault episode with Zulfi Syed occurred on a cruise liner. A bunch of press photographers, journalists, models and people were invited on board overnight as a PR exercise. I was there with a woman colleague to shoot the entire event.— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(7)#MeToo
At some point while looking at the rooms the models had been given to stay in, I ended up leaving my phone to charge in Zulfi’s room. After dinner and some dancing, my colleague was sleepy and left. So did the other models and I was alone with Zulfi on the ship deck— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(9)#MeToo
I entered the room and took my phone, it was by the bed. Zulfi shut the door & leaned against it. I asked him why he’d shut the door, he said we both knew I wasn’t going anywhere and that I hadn’t really come to his room for the phone. I said I’d only come for my phone— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(11)#MeToo
There was nobody outside in corridor, no one would hear me scream, he was physically overpowering me & wouldn’t stop and I did not want to become a victim of sexual assault. I had to strategise to get away so I stopped fighting him off. Instead, I made myself hold him.— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(13)#MeToo
I reached the room I shared with my colleague, banged on the door. She let me in, saw my panic, asked me what happened. I told her the whole story & also told her we should report it. She asked me-why did I have to go to his room alone? I repeated, we should report it.— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
(15)#MeToo
He said it was just a misunderstanding and he hoped I wouldn’t make a big deal of it. I have spoken about both these incidents with colleagues and friends and they are always met with that headshake & ‘what to do’ expression. Until now. #MeToo@weeny@AGirlOfHerWords— Natasha Hemrajani (@radiantbear) October 6, 2018
5. Kangana Ranaut revealed her #MeToo story against Queen director Vikas Bahl
In an interview, Kangana revealed, “He partied every night and shamed me for sleeping early and not being cool enough. I often told him off. He was scared of me but still every time we met socially, we greeted and hugged each other. He would bury his face in my neck and hold me really tight and breathe in the smell of my hair. It took me a great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace, he would say – “I love how you smell K”- I could tell something is wrong with him.”
6. Nayani Dixit told Bollywood Hungama about her encounter with Vikas Bahl
She supported Kangana’s statement and revealed “Whatever the girl has accused Vikas Bahl is not at all wrong because he also tried his hand on me. I literally told him that ‘main tumhe maarungi if you do this again’. So I am sure he did the same with the girl in question as well.”
She added, “Next day, when I came on the sets, something went wrong with my hair. I didn’t get it as it’s not my area of concern. But Vikas blasted me and he behaved very weird with me. Now when I look back, I realized that why this behaviour. Since he did not get a chance on me, he was taking revenge.”
She even said that the director offered her his hotel room while shooting for Queen. The actress said, “They kept us in a 2-star hotel. When I said that I am not comfortable, Vikas told me that he can share his room with me. Look at his audacity!”
She further added, “We were shooting for the London Thumakda song and in the crew, there was a 21-year-old local Delhi girl who was in the costume department. Vikas flirted even with her and she was very uncomfortable and she later confided to me that why this person is always behind me. Even Kangana Ranaut was witness to this drama and even she was taken aback. She remarked, ‘Tu pagal hai kya?“
7. A source revealed to a leading daily on Vikas Bahl’s case
“Allegations against Vikas have been a huge concern for the team of 83 and they expressed their concern over his presence in the film. Owing to his misconduct, the internal team came to a conclusion unanimously that he shouldn’t be involved with the project in any capacity. The same has been conveyed to him and his then-partners Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena.”
8. Hrithik Roshan’s statement after revelations about Vikas Bahl
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) October 8, 2018
9. Rajat Kapoor’s apology on being accused of sexual harassment
I am sorry from the bottom of my heart- and sad that I was the cause of this hurt
to another human being.If there is one thing more important to me than even my work,
it is to be a good human being.
And I have tried to be that person.
And now, I will try harder.— Rajat Kapoor (@mrrajatkapoor) October 7, 2018
10. Hotstar cancelled its association with AIB
— Hotstar (@hotstartweets) October 8, 2018
11. Rajat Kapoor and AIB’s film is dropped from MAMI film festival
— JioMAMIwithStar (@MumbaiFilmFest) October 8, 2018
12. Tanmay Bhatt and Gursimran Khamba are stepping down from their post ‘temporarily’.
13. Taapsee Pannu’s statement on #MeToo movement
Taapsee shared with Indian Express, “I’m so happy it is finally happening. People used to keep asking me for so many years that why it has not happened in India. Fortunately or unfortunately, I’ve not gone through this. So, I wish I could share something that could start it. But I’m so happy it has finally started and is gaining momentum. Better late than never. I’m happy it’s finally here.”
14. Farhan Akhtar on Tanushree Dutta’s case
This thread is very telling. @janiceseq85 was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not & her story hasn’t changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned. https://t.co/Ola3MNdmtS
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 27, 2018
15. Priety Zinta on Tanushree Dutta’s case
The actress shared with Quint, “It’s really sad when people turn around and say that this woman is lying and she is doing it for publicity because no woman does it for publicity.”
16. Sushmita Sen’s views on Tanushree Dutta
“I was reading an interview of Tanushree Dutta this morning and she is right that it isn’t about the coming of a #MeToo campaign. By all means, it will come and it will go. It is far deeper. It’s a mindset. To change that, you’re looking at an entirely new generation being raised and being educated to believe in their rights and responsibilities. So, I don’t think a campaign will do it. We’re not ready for that yet,” the actress shared with a leading daily.
17. Sonam Kapoor supports the girls against Nana Patekar
I believe #TanushreeDatta and @janiceseq85 recollection of the account. Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s upto us to stand together. https://t.co/sF3mS5o1P8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
18. Pooja Bhatt’s views when asked about #MeToo movement and Tanushree Dutta’s case
“Every man in this world, just because he is a man, cannot be a sexual predator. And every woman, just because she is a woman, is not necessarily a victim. Sometimes she is also the perpetrator. To paint every man with the same brush is unfair.”
19. Journalist Prashant Jha stepped down as the chief of bureau and political editor of Hindustan Times after being accused of sexual misconduct.
Avantika Jha, a lawyer who accused him of sending inappropriate messages to her, said she was “happy that Hindustan Times is following the law as under Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act.”
20. Comedian Varun Grover also accused of sexual harassment
Varun Grover. Man. Why. #metoo #believeher #timesup pic.twitter.com/ZSczpo4PMJ
— hk {on a hiatus} (@PedestrianPoet) October 9, 2018
21. However, Anurag Kashyap is supportive of Varun Grover who is denying the incident
This man I have known so closely and so so long that I refuse to believe any allegations about him . #believethevictim and investigate the claims and also be careful to not let vested interests sabotage a long pending genuine movement https://t.co/A4bkVgF9Hb
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) October 9, 2018
22. Tisca Chopra spoke about a filmmaker’s sexual proposition to her
Featured Image Source: Firstpost
