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.
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) October 12, 2018
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 Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 12, 2018
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 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.
— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) October 12, 2018
"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.
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.
Before Akshay, Bollywood star Aamir Khan chose to dissociate from a film as someone involved with the project was accused of sexual assault.
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 Ffilms nor I will stand for it."
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 ADF nor I will stand for it.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) October 12, 2018
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."
Sajid Khan has been accused of sexual misconduct by actresses Rachel White (Ungli) and Saloni Chopra (TV series Screwed Up), and journalist Karishma Upadhyay.
Saloni Chopra's Story
Saloni Chopra, who was hired as assistant director in Sajid Khan's team, has accused him of harassing her mentally, emotionally and sexually. Ms Chopra alleged that Mr Khan would criticise her appearance and humiliate her (you can read her detailed account here). "It took me years to get over the trauma he put me through. I was so scared around the people I worked with," she wrote.
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
Rachel White's Story
Actress Rachel White re-tweeted Saloni Chopra's account saying she believed her and added her own story. Among other allegations, Ms White said that Mr Khan told her she could get a role in his film (he was casting for 2014 film Humshakals) if she could "seduce him in 5 minutes.
I believe you @redheadchopra I was sent by my agency then to meet Sajid Khan during Humshakals. Right after my agency told me about the meeting Sajid called me within the next 5 mins and said the meeting would be at his house opp iskon Juhu.
— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) October 11, 2018
I believe you @redheadchopra I was sent by my agency then to meet Sajid Khan during Humshakals. Right after my agency told me about the meeting Sajid called me within the next 5 mins and said the meeting would be at his house opp iskon Juhu.
— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) October 11, 2018
I said I was not comfortable meeting at home and to that he said “don’t worry I live with my mom and she’ll be around” I felt reassured and agreed. When I went to his house the maid directed me to his room and the drawing room was empty!! It was his bedroom
— Rachel White (@whitespeaking) October 11, 2018
Karishma Upadhyay's Story
On her Twitter page, Karishma Upadhyay shared that in early 2000s, when she had gone to interview Sajid Khan, the director started by talking about his genitals. Ms Upadhyay alleges that when she decided to leave, Mr Khan blocked her way and "forced his tongue down my throat." When she met him a few years later for a show they were collaborating on, she claims she warned Mr Khan to behave properly and his reply was: "You are fatter that you used to be. I won't touch you with a barge pole."
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
