With #TimesUp movement surging ahead in full force right now, there have been many a shocking revelations and outing of people in power and position. One of the most shocking men accused by not one but multiple women now is Alok Nath. It was what you’d call a shattering of the sanskaari image he had developed over the years, to put it mildly. The first one to tell her shocking and truly traumatic story was writer-director Vinta Nanda, in which she accused the actor of raping her. Another Hum Saath Saath Hai crew member and actress Sandhya Mridul. Post this, The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has issued a notice to the actor.
Speaking at a press conference, IFTDA president Ashok Pandit disclosed the associations stand on the #MeToo movement and how they are dealing with Alok Nath.
The entire federation supports the #MeToo movement. We have already drafted a notice which is to be issued to Alok Nath because Vinta Nanda is also a very respectable member of IFTDA. Please encourage the entire federation and let us all move together to fight this menace. We need your support and help. This federation today takes a vouch that nobody in the industry will dare to think to even do something wrong. Be it, anyone.
He also said that all the predators should be punished and asked everyone to support them in fighting this menace.
While he was asked about the Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy, he said,
I have my own reservations. We are standing by Tanushree or any victim for that matter but I want Nana Patekar to be heard too.
As a woman, I’m glad to see there are necessary changes and steps being taken to ensure that women can have a safer working environment in Bollywood. And since we know how influential Bollywood is, we hope other organizations take a cue and start doing the same. The fight has just begun and these are just baby steps towards a bigger change.