An internal complaints committee (ICC) at the Reliance Entertainment has cleared rape-accused Vikas Bahl of all charges, thereby paving the way for Bahl’s name to be reinstated as director of Super 30.
It may be recalled that Bahl was relieved of his duties as director of Super 30, a biopic of mathematician Anand Kumar, after the allegations were made.
Coming to Bahl’s defence, Kumar says, “It is only right that Vikas Bahl be given his due credit for his work in Super 30. He directed every single frame of the film. He is the whole and soul architect of the film. As far as the charges go, the internal committee has cleared him. I know him to be a very talented director and a thorough gentleman.”
But a livid Tanushree Dutta will not accept any of Bahl’s exonerations. “This is ghor kalyug!” she says. “What is this Reliance committee? Who are the members of this committee? Reliance committees are giving clean chits while law and order and police investigation is still pending? Of course all these committees will give clean chits. They are made up of such people. Clean chit is valid only when police or judiciary of India gives it. The rest is corruption,” she adds.
The actress wonders how a clean chit is connected to the victim’s silence. “So if the victim didn’t press charges, how is a clean chit possible? It’s an internal complaints committee. Such committees have been operating for ages clearing rapists, molesters and harassers. This is just a PR stunt to get image control, so these weirdos (#MeToo accused) can get back to business. And the victim not pressing charges is not surprising given the shame, stigma and hassle of a court case,” she says.
Tanushree has urged actor Hrithik Roshan to take a stand on the matter. “India needs to buckle up, and our Bollywood stars need to be much more responsible as millions look up to them as their idols,” she adds.
“Reinstating someone accused of such heinous acts is not acceptable. Come on, Hrithik. I thought you were different! Take a stand,” she adds.
