#MeToo in Bollywood: After Ashish Patil, Yash Raj Films to Fire Dibakar Banerjee Next Over Sexual Harassment Allegations?
As per a report in Dainik Bhaskar, director Dibakar Banerjee is next in line to be fired over his own involvement in a sexual misconduct case in 2011.
The rising #MeToo movement in Indian social media has changed a lot when it comes to Bollywood. Many women have come out with worrisome stories about some very popular celebs like Alok Nath, Nana Patekar, Rajat Kapoor, Anu Malik, Vairamuthu etc. Recently, following sexual allegations against their business head Ashish Patil, Yash Raj Films, one of Bollywood's biggest production houses, fired him for misusing his position in the company. And he doesn't look to be the only one in YRF's employ to be facing the axe. #MeToo: Yash Raj Films FIRES Business Head Ashish Patil After Allegations of Sexual Harassment Against Him - Read Official Statement.
As per a report in Dainik Bhaskar, director Dibakar Banerjee is next in line to be fired over his own involvement in a sexual misconduct case in 2011. He has been accused by actress Payal Rohatgi of misbehaving with her. As per her account then, he had asked her to lift her shirt and show her stomach to him.
Dibakar, who had earlier directed Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! for YRF, is currently in the works of Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, that stars Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra in the lead. However, there is every chance that YRF might put the project on hold until the allegations are cleared. A source close to the production house told Dainik, "Yash Raj Films prides itself on the clean reputation that it has built over the years. That is why it is terminating the services of Ashish Patil. Next in line is Dibakar. YRF is currently contemplating how to let go off Dibakar without jeopardising the chances of the film, which is not fully complete. They don’t want the lead pair answering uncomfortable questions during the promotions of Sandeep and Pinky Faraar."
Earlier, Vikas Bahl has been dropped from Super 30 promotions pending investigations of his sexual allegations charges, that also led to Phantom Films being dissolved. Sajid Khan was also replaced as the director of Housefull 4, after he faced #MeToo ire. Then Aamir Khan backed out of Mogul, that was to be directed by Subhash Kapoor, who was later fired from the film.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2018 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).