Imran Khan on Vikas Bahl Sexual Harassment Row: Everyone in the Film Industry Was Familiar With The Filmmaker's Behaviour

We are glad that the #MeToo movement has finally entered in India, thanks to Aashiq Banaya Aapne actress Tanushree Dutta. Ever since the actress levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against Nana Patekar, accusing him of misbehaving on the sets of 2008 film Ok Horn Please, many women have come forward to share their horrifying stories. By far, names such as Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl, Zulfi Syed, Kailash Kher, and Alok Nath have been accused for sexual misconduct. However, when Vikas Bahl's name popped up, it came as a shock to many, while some were familiar with Bahl's behaviour. Anurag Kashyap Steps Back From His Duties as a Board Member From MAMI, Here’s Why

Recently, actor Imran Khan, who made his Bollywood debut with Jaane Tu Ya Jaana, revealed that he too was familiar with Bahl's behaviour. In a statement to The Indian Express, the 35-year-old said, "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."

The actor further added, "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 socializing with him. So, I brought it up at the party and realised only I was only odd one there."

For the uninitiated, a woman employee at Phantom Films, which had Vikas Bahl as one of the partners along side Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, had levelled allegations of molestation against Bahl. She had said that Bahl had behaved inappropriately during a trip to Goa. The report had also suggested that Phantom founders, despite knowing the truth for almost two years, didn’t do much about it. In, fact Bahl continued to harass her until she finally quit the company. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2018 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).