#MeToo Movement: Subhash Ghai Accused of Drugging and Raping Woman; Filmmaker Alleges Defamation

Ever since the Bollywood actress came forward with explosive allegations of sexual misconduct against the veteran actor Nana Patekar, many women not only from Bollywood but from the other industries as well, have come forward and narrated their horrifying stories. While many celebrities came out in support of the actress, some slammed her allegations and a few took a diplomatic stand on the case. However it takes a lot of courage to stand up and narrate their stories to the world. Well, the latest celebrity, who got exposed for his predatory behaviour, is filmmaker Subhash Ghai. Reportedly, an anonymous woman, who claims to be a former employee of Subhash Ghai, has accused the  filmmaker of 'drugging and raping' her.

While the accuser had wished to keep her identity concealed, writer Mahima Kukreja, who has shared similar accounts in the past, took to the micro-blogging site to share the woman’s ordeal. Sharing the screenshots of a private conversation and blurring the accuser's name and display picture in the screenshots, Mahima wrote on Twitter, "TW: drugging and raping. About Shubash Ghai. Told personally by the woman who faced the trauma. She’s also a very credible media/lit personality." Asrani on #MeToo Movement: Women Are Accusing Celebs of Sexual Harassment for Publicity and Film Promotions - Read Tweet

Check out the tweet here:

Here's the statement from the survivor. Read it below: 

      This happened when I was working with Subhash Ghai on a film. He said he would be my mentor and would guide me in the film industry. I listened cos I had no Godfather in the film industry and no friends. I was new to Mumbai. But I was hungry to learn and to prove to my parents that being a director was my true calling. In the beginning he would take me to music recordings and I’d have to sit there till very late at night with other male members. No one did anything in front of him. When recordings finished I took an auto home or he would drop me. He slowly started putting his hand on my thigh, giving me a big hug saying I did good that day. Then he’d call me to script sessions at his small apartment In Lokhandwala. This was where he said he’d do script sessions with other actresses.

 

When I went there though there was no one and he was alone In his two bedroom place. This was not the house he stayed with his wife. This was he said his thinking pad. Instead of script session he started talking about how he was so misunderstood in the industry and only I was the one who loved him. He pretended to weep, and put his head on my lap. Then when he was getting up he kissed me forcefully. I was shocked and left that day.

 

The next day in office he said lovers have tiffs. And I should just get on with work. I had no other job, no financial security, no family. I let it go cos I was scared and I told only the first AD and my two other girl friends who I don’t want to name bcos they have their own cross to bear with him as he tried things with them as well.

 

One evening after a music session it became late again and he decided to have a drink. He used to love whiskey. His driver Babu used to have a ready stash in the car. No one used to check. He gave me a drink as well it was spiked. After that I remember getting into his car and I thought he was dropping me home. But he made Babu drive to Lonavala. I was in and out of consciousness but I remember clearly and I swear on my child that I asked him where are we going and please take me home.

 

He took me to Fariyas hotel. He said he went there regularly to write. They always had a suite available for him. I was wobbly but he held me n took me to the suite. He took off my jeans and he mounted me. I was trying to scream but he put his hand over my mouth. I was also not very lucid bcos of the drug in my drink. So I cried and passed out. Next morning remember he had ordered some toast and was having breakfast when I woke up. The sofas were red and musty. The sunlight streamed in from the windows to my right. I vomited.

 

He dropped me home. I took a few days off and a person from his team called to say I wouldn’t be paid for the month if I quit now. So I went back to work and gave my resignation a week later. I’ve never seen him or spoken to him but once he was shooting somewhere n I was traveling with some friends along that route n we briefly spurred on the sets. The entire crew knew me. But I was so uncomfortable that I left immediately. These things never go away. But hey it happened to me too.

However, refuting the allegations, Subhash Ghai, in a statement to The Times of India, said, "It is sad that it is becoming a fashion to maligh anyone known, bringing some stories from past without any truth or blown up false allegations if all. I deny strictly and firmly all false allegations like therse. If she claims this way, she should go to the court of law and prove it. Justice will be done or I will go for defamation certainly."

With this #metoomovement being started in our country, many women came forward and called out the names of men, who sexually harassed and molested them. Big names like Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl, Zulfi Syed, Kailash Kher, and Alok Nath have been accused for sexual misconduct. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 09:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).