Actor alleges Anurag Kashyap sexually harassed her, director slams claims

The issue of sexual harassment in workplace and #MeToo movement returned to haunt Bollywood after actor Payal Ghosh alleged that filmmaker Anurag Kashyap forced himself upon her. However, the 48-year-old director has denied the charges, and termed them to be baseless.

Payal, who hails from Kolkata, had sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. The actor made her debut in Bollywood with the film Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi.

"@anuragkashyap72 has forced himself on me and extremely badly. @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Please help!" Ghosh wrote.

“He made me feel uncomfortable. I felt bad about it, whatever happened shouldn't have happened. If someone approaches you for work,it doesn't mean the person is prepared for anything,” she added.

She got backing from actor Kangana Ranaut, who said “Every voice matters,” and demanded the arrest of Anurag Kashyap.

National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma asked Payal to send in a detailed complaint to her. “We will look into the matter and take it up with the police,” she said.

"Such a long time was taken to shut me up, never mind. (But) while shutting me up, you lied so much that you dragged other women also in it. Please maintain some dignity madam. All I will say is that all your allegations are baseless," Kashyap tweeted.

Refuting the claims, Kashyap said the video is a testimony of "how much truth and false" there is in the matter.

"While placing allegations against me you dragged my artistes and Bachchan family... Madam, I have been married twice, if that's a crime then I admit to it. I also admit that I have loved a lot, whether it's my first wife or second.

“Any lover or all those female actors with whom I've worked or the team of all those girls and women that have been working with me or all those women I've met in private or in public. I neither behaved like this nor do I tolerate such behaviour at any cost. Rest we will see what happens, (sic)" he added.

Anurag Kashyap, who is known for directing and producing many critically acclaimed films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Queen, Choked, Gulaal, and Masaan, said, “Wow, it took so long to try to silence me. You lied so much in this effort and also dragged other women despite you being a woman. Have some dignity madam! I will just say that all your allegations are baseless."

Actor and activist Taapsee Pannu came out in support of Kashyap. “For you, my friend, are the biggest feminist I know. See you on the sets soon of yet another piece of art that shows how powerful and significant women are in the world you create,” she said.

It may be recalled, in 2018, when director Vikas Bahl's name came up during the #MeToo movement, Anurag Kashyap, who co-founded production house Phantom Films with Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, dissolved the production house.