When Tanushree Dutta spoke about Nana Patekar’s misconduct, for days, we didn’t hear any of the leading stars broach the topic out of choice. Meanwhile, they continued to post pictures from their outdoor schedules.
“It was sheer arrogance of Farah Khan to post a picture of Nana Patekar joining the Housefull 4 team. And even though Twinkle did ask Bollywood to stand by Tanushree, Akshay Kumar did not react. He only leapt into action when the allegations against Sajid Khan came up, and wife Twinkle tweeted again how it’s time for the team to take a stand,” a Bollywood observer says.
Farah Khan has also reacted only after her brother has been called a sex-pest by a series of women, including a journalist.
When actress Chitrangada Singh walked out of the Babumoshai Bandookbaaz claiming to have had trouble with director Kushan Nandy, she was replaced by Bidita Bag.
Suniel Shetty, who, according to Tanushree, stood up for her when she was harassed by Nana ten years ago, has not made any comment now that the incident has come to light.
A member of The Producers Guild of India reveals that the existence of sexual predators has been an open secret in the film industry for quite a while. “Everyone in the industry knows about them, and until now the issue has been dismissed due to the absence of combined action. In 2011, actress Sayali Bhagat made similar allegations against Amitabh Bachchan, Sajid Khan and Shiney Ahuja, but she ended up withdrawing her statements, much like Mamta Kulkarni, who was forced to eat her words after making allegations against Rajkumar Santoshi during the shoot of China Gate in 1998.
Your truth will soon be out: Sapna Bhavnani hits out at Sr Bachchan
On his 76th birthday, Amitabh Bachchan finally commented on the #MeToo movement. He said, “No woman should ever be subjected to any kind of misbehaviour, or disorderly conduct; especially at her work place. Such acts should immediately be brought to the notice of concerned authorities, and corrective measures be taken.”
He also added, “Discipline and civic, social and moral curriculums, should be adopted at a very early educational level. Women children and the weaker sections of our society are the most vulnerable. They need to be under special protective care. It would be an unrepairable blemish if we are not able to provide them the welcome they deserve and the dignity of the security of their presence.”
Celebrity hair stylist Sapna Bhavnani lashed out at Bachchan for his statement. She took to Twitter and wrote, “This has to be the biggest lie ever. Sir the film Pink has released and gone and your image of being an activist will soon too. Your truth will come out very soon. Hope you are biting your hands cuz nails will not be enough. @SrBachchan #Metoo #MeTooIndia #comeoutwomen (sic).”
Wonder what Sapna was hinting at. Meanwhile several tweets appeared hinting at Bachchan too being guilty of misconduct.
Sajid Khan was rude to girls: Bipasha Basu
“I am glad that women are speaking up about the atrocities of these men with power and clout... but nothing of that sort happened with me... It was just his (Sajid’s) general attitude toward women that would disturb me on set he cracked lewd jokes openly and was pretty rude to all girls
I was told by all not to say anything to him and stoop to his level so I quietly finished my work as a professional and explained my stance to the producers, that I couldn’t associate myself with this film anymore as I could lose my temper any moment.”
Very disappointed: Farhan Akhtar
“I cannot adequately stress how shocked, disappointed and heartbroken I am to read the 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 must atone for this: 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 behavior and Stand in solidarity with any woman who has been hurt.”
