In the wake of escalating global #MeToo Movement, Indian women have also decided to bring their horrific sexual harassment stories in the mainstream. The movement has long failed to take a firm grip in India initially but it seems to be gaining momentum in the recent past, with the accusations of sexual misconduct from a B' Town actress, Tanushree Dutta, against the veteran, Nana Patekar. She has accused Patekar of inappropriate behavior on the set of a movie 10 years ago. Dutta has also alleged that producer Vivek Agnihotri also behaved improperly while shooting a movie back in 2005.
Ample Bollywood actors, filmmakers and other fragments of the fraternity have taken to social media to pay homage to the actress for her act of immaculate bravery.
https://twitter.com/FarOutAkhtar/status/1045357336406052864
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https://twitter.com/ParineetiChopra/status/1045563446975188992
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https://twitter.com/RichaChadha/status/1045368162387206145
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Soon after Dutta's allegations, an Indian news outlet has published a report engulfed in accusations against director Vikas Bahl. The newspaper has reported that a crew member claimed that Bahl insisted on escorting her to her hotel back in 2015 and pretended to collapse on her bed, only to awaken and harassing her later. The diva, Kangana Ranaut, who worked with him on the 2014 movie, 'Queen' has also accused him of burying his face in her neck, holding her "really tight." The prima donna continues, "It took me a great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace."
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The filmmaker, Anurag Kashyap has taken to Twitter to announce the dissolution of 'Phantom', a production company which was co-owned by Kashyap and Bahl.
https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/1048301339971936256
The man behind bestsellers like 'Half Girlfriend' and '2 States', Chetan Bhagat has also been accused of sending text messages to a woman, ignoring her objections of him, being a married man. Bhagat has not only confirmed the veracity of these messages, but he has also apologized to his wife for the act.
Known as Preity Zinta's uncle in 'Dil Chahta Hai' the actor Rajat Kapoor has also been accused of sexual harassment with two women. One of the victims, a journalist, has shared the details of a telephonic conversation in which he allegedly asked her whether she was "As sexy as she sounds," asking about her "vital stats." However, the actor has issued an apology via his Twitter account, "If I have slipped and through my actions or words caused pain or hurt or trauma to absolutely anybody, please accept my apology."
https://twitter.com/mrrajatkapoor/status/1048984606911938562
Recently, an Indian photojournalist, Natasha Hemrajani has alleged that the 'Teri Deewani' singer, Kailash Kher tried making her uncomfortable by putting his hand on her thigh, while she was sent to take his photographs along with another journalist.
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The singer has spoken to a news agency to deny these accusations soon after Hemrajani's tweet. He says, "For all those who know me and have come across me, will know how much I respect humanity, especially women, even more for the ones who work in media since their work is difficult."
In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, a veteran producer, Vinta Nandu has accused the 'usually good guy' of Bollywood movies, Alok Nath of rape and brutality, two decades ago. She has alleged him of sexually harassing another lead protagonist and getting her out of the show. She also remembers him offering her a ride and then violating her "endlessly."
Activist Tarana Burke is unarguably the woman responsible for initiating the #MeToo movement back in 2006, which encourages women to hold each other up, in the instances of sexual harassment. The hashtag has gone viral in 2017 when Alyssa Milano used it in the support of her friend Rose McGowan's accusations of harassment against Harvey Weinstein.
What are your views on the ongoing wave of #MeToo movement in India? Have your say in the comments' section below.