Now this is a shocker! Film director Rajkumar Hirani has been accused of sexual assault by woman who worked on ‘Sanju’ as one of his Assistant Directors. Hirani has denied the allegations, which were detailed in an email that was sent by the woman to ‘Sanju’ co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, his wife (and film critic) Anupama Chopra, and scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi.
Rajkumar Hirani has delivered some of the biggest blockbusters in Bollywood, and is known for his socially-focused movies, mostly presented with liberal dose of humor.
This particular incident was reported for ‘Sanju’, based on Sanjay Dutt’s life.
As per the news reported in Huffington Post, Rajkumar Hirani has been sexually abusing the woman over a period of six months.
In her e-mail dated November 3, 2018, the woman wrote, “I remember forming these words on my lips – “Sir. This is wrong…Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody – I will never be able to express myself to you. My mind, body and heart were grossly violated that night and for the next 6 months,”
She even stated that on April 9, 2018, Hirani first made a sexually suggestive remark to her and then sexually assaulted her at his home office. Talking about the incident in an interview with Huffington Post, the alleged victim said, “I had no choice but to be polite to him. It was unbearable but the reason I endured it all until I couldn’t, was because I didn’t want my job to be taken away from me, and work to be questioned. Ever. I was worried that if I left midway, it would be impossible to find another job in this industry if he were to speak badly about my work,”
She further added, “Because if Hirani said I wasn’t good, everybody would listen. My future would be in jeopardy.”
Rajkumar Hirani has denied all such allegations through his lawyer, Anand Desai. In an e-mail to Huffington Post, Desai said, “At the outset, our client states that the allegations made against him are false, mischievous, scandalous, motivated and defamatory,”
Later, he released another official statement in which Hirani said, “I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation.”
Meanwhile, it seems Vidhu Vinod Chopra is not happy with the development and is contemplating severing all ties with Raju Hirani; the two have collaborated on several films together. Raju Hirani responded to this query by saying that “Its sad that there’s pressure on their relationship because of this allegation which is completely false”.
Meanwhile, Rajkumar Hirani’s name has been removed from the recent posters and trailer of Sonam Kapoor’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga which has been produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani. Industry insiders feel Hirani’s name may not also appear in the credits of the film.
“If Hirani said I wasn’t good, everybody would listen”? May be a few, but not everyone. Rohit Shetty, David Dhawan, Soorjit Sarcar, they all have different film-making style and may have still hired you, had you quit. “I was worried that if I left midway, it would be impossible to find another job in this industry…” why work in such a industry. It’s true this could happen in any industry, but in other industries its not difficult to find another job.
Accusing without a proof and that too after so much time is not right I think. No Voice Recording , No Messages , No Chats , No Videos over a period of 6 months suggests foul game. There’s so much of technology available that victims can use..spy cameras, voice recorders, etc. It doesn’t take much to accuse, and hidden agendas can also not be ruled out. She could even be doing this on instructions from someone who wants to defame Hirani?
It takes years to build reputation, and any accusation without proof is not correct. I hope a thorough investigation is done and a final report made public.
Vinta Nanda, the woman who was assaulted by Alok Nath has written on her twitter handle, ‘The latest on #MeToo is so disturbing. Who is it that women can trust? Can’t deal with these words anymore ” “At the outset, our client states that the allegations made against him are false, mischievous, scandalous, motivated and defamatory’
But what is the woman was trying to blackmail Hirani and he didn’t give in? What if Hirani didn’t want her as an assistant director in his next film?
I think the woman is speaking the truth. If someone can glorify a rascal like Sanjay Dutt, then I have every reason to expect him to do this. There is genuine reason to believe the accusation and investigate this allegation.
We know for a fact that too many production companies have started recruiting only men for their projects, no women no hassles, that is their take on this issue, this is their way of dealing with this.
Women have to make a big scene when someone even suggests a sexual favor for work. If someone touches them without their consent they have to physically hit back and injure the person and raise a big alarm. Not keep quiet and think “oh what will happen to my job if I complain about this person, he/she is so powerful and I might never get a job again”.
You have to decide before coming out in the world of employment what is more important for you , your job or your modesty. All of this happens here in the U.S and much more than India. The corporate world is only about sexual favors and sexist people. Women who do not comply dont get promoted , infact they are given a choice of a transfer to another department which is not of their expertise or simply leave.
I have personally met too many women ( caucasian American white women) who had to leave their jobs to keep their dignity. Of a certain company or production in this case is not conducive to your morals and principles, you simply leave and try for another one. No one job is the end of the world, so please get sympathy out of this.
If Mr. Hirani suggested something sexual or as she claims assaulted him then she should’ve raised an alarm at that moment and quit the job. People will respect you more when you confront and quit to keep your dignity as opposed to crying out after a few years that I was exploited. Please keep your dignity , not your job. No job is good enough that anyone could play with your modesty. There are way too many jobs and opportunities in places where the people are really decent and none of this ever tolerated , where power play is never in play. The woman has to decide.
Priyanka Chopra’s mother says that as a newcomer Priyanka lost at least 10 films because she refused to compromise. Her mother says “losing on some work is not the end of your life; your life is more valuable.”
You can read the article here http://www.bollywoodpresents.com/priyanka-chopra-sexual-harassment/