Bollywood’s #MeToo movement has gained momentum after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual assault. Since then, many survivors have spoken out and named their alleged harassers on Twitter.
The latest in the line is film director Sajid Khan who is well known for his film Housefull. According to a report by Hindustan Times, three women have come forward and accused him of sexual harassment.
Actor Saloni Chopra opened about the incident in detail on Medium. She then shared the story on Twitter, from where people picked it up and started sharing.
I finally decided to share my story with you. Writing this was like re-living all that horrible past I’d chosen to let go of, but I knew if I don’t today, I may never. So here’s #metoo #MetooIndia https://t.co/brouTYIBC7
— Saloni Chopra (@redheadchopra) October 11, 2018
In her post, she wrote
It took me years to get over the trauma he put me through. I was so scared around the people I worked with. And I’m sure he’s done this to so many other girls, I just want them to know they’re not alone. It’s been 7 years, and it’s about time I said it out loud.
Following Saloni’s revelation, yet another Indian actress and model, Rachel White also spoke at length about her trauma in a series of tweets.
I was in a white vest and blue denims and still felt I was standing nude with that gaze. What happens next is that he finishes his cardio and walks up to me asking me about my boobs and making that kind of conversation. I didn’t bother to answer to anything.
— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) October 11, 2018
And in yet another revelation, journalist, Karishma Upadhyay, too narrated her tale of harassment by Sajid on Twitter.
Sajid Khan has preyed on women in the industry for years. Here’s my story. #MeToo pic.twitter.com/Rufzs9dsp6
— YellowGlassDragon (@karishmau) October 11, 2018
Following accusations of sexual assault and harassment by these three women, filmmaker Sajid Khan has decided to step down from his directorial post for Housefull 4 on account of ‘moral responsibility’.
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) October 12, 2018
Actor Akshay Kumar, who just returned to India from Italy, has cancelled the shoot of Housefull 4, after grave sexual harassment allegations against the film’s director Sajid Khan.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 12, 2018
At a time when most of the people from Bollywood are silent on the issue Twinkle Khanna has urged the members of Housefull to take a firm stand on the issue.
Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on.
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 12, 2018