In the wake of the #MeToo movement, women have stepped forward to talk about how they have been sexually harassed. Commenting on the same, actor Saif Ali Khan revealed how he was harassed too, not sexually though. In an interview with PTI, Saif said, "I have also been harassed in my career, not sexually, but I have been harassed 25 years ago and I am still angry about it." Speaking further, he said, "Most people don’t understand other people. It is very difficult to understand other people’s pain. I don’t want to talk about it because I am not important today. Even when I think about what happened with me I still get angry. Today, we have to look after women." Saif Ali Khan: #MeToo Is a Good Start Because People Will Now Think 20 Times Before Misbehaving.
Taking a stand for victims, Saif said that those proven guilty should be punished and that's how justice will be served. "People are offended and they want justice. What it is happening is good and it gives you a sense that something is happening," he said. "You are removing someone (from the job) and it is a big deal. You are removing a person, but everybody has worked on a project so you have to balance things. People who have sexually harassed and abused women should pay for it."
Saif, who has worked with Sajid Khan in the past for the movie Humshakals, was also questioned about the allegations made against him. Recently, the director was accused of sexual harassment by quite a few women and actors like Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta also opened up about his "rude" behaviour while on sets. After Sajid Khan is Accused of Sexual Harassment, This Old Video of Him Calling Himself 'A Big Dog' is Going Viral - Find Out Why.
Recalling his experience during Humshakals, Saif said, "I don’t remember anything like this happening genuinely because if it would have happened I would not have been comfortable in that environment or allowed it to happen in front of me. I would hate an atmosphere where women are being looked down upon or mistreated in any way. I don’t think that’s how an atmosphere should be,” he added. Saif, 48, asserted he will not work with those who have been accused of sexual misconduct.
"We all need to have the same attitude. I don’t want to work with them. We have to understand that how these people are behaving, it is not ok, it is disgusting." Saif Ali Khan Confirms Playing an 'Anti-Hero' in Ajay Devgn's Taanaji and We Are Already Getting Cool 'Omkara' Vibes!
We applaud Saif's stance on sexual harassment and his decision to not work with sexual offenders. The women filmmakers of Bollywood too have joined hands to pledge and not work with those proven guilty. While it was initially being said that the #MeToo movement will fade away after making some noise, it is overwhelming to see people taking strict actions against those condemned. Let's hope more actors come up and take a stand against these criminals, like Saif did.
-With inputs from PTI
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 15, 2018 03:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).