The ongoing #MeToo movement in India has rattled the
nation. Women from various professions are coming forward to share their
horrifying tales and calling their offenders out. For the past few days,
several men from the glamour world have been named for sexual harassment. While
many have come out and extended support to the movement, a few continue to
resist. Now, Imran Khan, in an exclusive interview to indianexpress.com has
stated that it has been long overdue.
Talking to the portal, he said, “I think it was long long
long overdue. There have been times when I wanted to speak out. I was advised
to stay quiet because they said people will assume I am trying to grab
publicity. They (people) will say I am trying to become relevant and come in
the news since my films have not worked well. Time and again, people around me
will tell me to not speak up. There are a lot of things that have
happened in front of me and bothered me for years. Even after being aware of so
many things, I could not say it out because I somewhere felt no one will
support me on it.”
Imran Khan
Recalling a certain incident, the actor said, “Very early
in my career, there was a director who was auditioning for the female lead in a
film. He made girls do a photo shoot in bikinis, in sexy poses. These
photographs went straight to the director’s personal laptops. These were not
costume tests. These were not even used for marketing. So, what was he doing
with these photographs? Later, he was showing these photos to the three
shortlisted actresses and other women on the sets. I found it appalling. It is
sexism and definitely an emotional and mental harassment. It was a wrong usage of
power. There is a story later that happened with the actress. I hope she speaks
of it through the story I am telling, it is her choice.”
Vikas Bahl
Queen director Vikas Bahl has been called out for sexual
harassment by multiple women and Imran confesses that these allegations do
not come as a surprise. “Everyone is talking about Vikas Bahl. I have heard his
stories from three other actresses. Ranging from inappropriate touching to
straight up saying that if you were cast in the film, what will I get in
return. Again, I am telling you what I know directly through the actresses or
from the industry. The story of this girl (in case of Vikas Bahl) came
somewhere a year ago, if I am not wrong. Everyone in the film industry knew. I
was at a social gathering 5-6 months ago, with a lot of people and the
conversation came about MeToo movement in Hollywood. At a point, I said what
about Bollywood. The Vikas Bahl matter was brushed under the carpet, a few
weeks after the news first appeared. I saw him smiling, posing for pictures
with every celebrity in the industry. At that point, he started making a film
with Hrithik (Roshan). I was like how is it in Hollywood a culprit is shunned
but here he was making a proper film. Everyone was socialising with him. So, I
brought it up at the party and realised only I was only odd one there,” he
elaborated.
He concluded, “These people might not come out in
open, but I wanted to stand up and say I support them completely. I cannot be
silent about it anymore. My conscience will not allow me to. As a man, I know
what it is to say that. I do not want to deal with negative publicity but how
these women have come out is brave. I do not want them to feel that men in the
industry are not standing by them. I have chosen my words and said what I
intended to say. I have been silent for long enough and it makes me feel
dirty.”
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