Director Sajid Khan stepped down from the film Housefull 4 while Akshay Kumar refused to work in the project after Khan was accused by two women
As multiple women came out to share their #MeToo experiences with Sajid Khan, the Bollywood director stepped down from his project Housefull 4, actor Akshay Kumar cancelled its shoot, and Sajid's family members Farah Khan and Farhan Akhtar expressed disappointment on Friday.
Sajid has been named by multiple women, including two actresses — Sonali Chopra and Rachel White — and one journalist for sexual misconduct. He has been called out not just for harassment but also for exposing his manhood to women. In response, Sajid wrote on Twitter: “In the wake of the allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producer and the stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post, till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth... I request my friends in the media to kindly not pass judgment till the truth is out.” Akshay was disturbed to read about the claims against Sajid, and requested Housefull 4 producers to cancel the shoot until further investigation. It is noteworthy that the film also features Nana Patekar, who too is accused of sexual misconduct by actress Tanushree Dutta.
“This is something that requires stringent action. I will not work with any proven offenders and all those who have been subjugated to harassment should be heard and given the justice they deserve,” Akshay added. Twinkle Khanna was the first to call out the Housefull team, asking them to take a “firm stance” in the wake of allegations against the director and cast member though she did not name anyone in her tweet.
The accusations against Sajid are heartbreaking for the family, says his filmmaker-sister Farah Khan. “This is a heartbreaking time for my family. We have to work through some very difficult issues. If my brother has behaved in this manner he has a lot to atone for. I don’t in any way endorse this behaviour and stand in solidarity with any woman who has been hurt,” she tweeted.
Their cousin, actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar said he was “shocked, disappointed and heartbroken” to read stories about Sajid’s behaviour. “I don’t know how, but he will have to find a way to atone for his alleged actions,” he added,
Several celebrities’ names have cropped up in the #MeToo movement, leading several others to take a stern stand.
Amid the rising number of cases and accounts in this wave, actor Ajay Devgn tweeted: “I’m disturbed by all the happenings with regards to #MeToo. My company and I believe in providing women with utmost respect and safety. If anyone has wronged even a single woman, neither Ajay Devgn films nor I will stand for it.”
After Sona Mahapatra, another woman claiming to be singer Kailash Kher’s family friend accused him of sexual harrasment while actor-writer Piyush Mishra apologised to a journalist who wrote a Facebook post accusing him. He said he was a few drinks down and apologised if he made the “lady uncomfortable”.
Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety director Luv Ranjan, who was also accused, denied the allegations saying it was absurd. He said he was willing to face an inquiry. The anonymous 24-year-old said that he asked her to strip down to her underwear to see if she needed to lose weight.
Karim Morani, who had produced SRK’s films like Chennai Express and Ra.One, was accused by a woman of rape. She said that he had drugged her and clicked photos without her consent to stop her from going public about it.
Meanwhile Subhash Kapoor, who was removed as the director of Mogul has now lost out on an Ekta Kapoor project, a web series called The Verdict.
Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh expressed support for women who have been “extremely brave” to have shared their stories. “All need to be heard and not judged. I stand with them today.”
Pink actress Taapsee Pannu tweeted: “More than the names it's the description of the way things happened is what is disturbing me the most. Makes me have this terrible feeling that we have discovered only the tip of this iceberg.”
Actor Aparshakti Khurana made a pertinent point.
He said: “It is really unfortunate that we have to start this kind of a movement to bring sexual harassment stories in forefront. People are expressing their views on social media about this issue, but there is a larger population which is not on social media and they also might be going through these circumstances but they don't have platform to share their stories.
“So, we also need masses to come out and talk about it. Sometimes people can also take unnecessary advantage of a situation, so, I hope everything is going in the right direction. I am really glad that people are coming out to share their stories which will curb anti-social elements of the society.”
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who was accused of harassment by a woman on social media, has firmly denied the claims.
He said, “It is sad that it’s becoming a fashion to malign anyone known by bringing stories from the past without truth or half truth. I deny, strictly and firmly, all false allegations like these. I have always respected each and every woman in my life and even at a work place.” He also stated that the complainant should go to the court of law and prove her allegations, otherwise he will file a defamation case against the latter.
The allegation came to light through Mahima Kukreja, who had first raised her voice against comedian Utsav Chakraborty.
(With agency inputs)