If you have been active on social media or reading the news lately you must be aware of the #MeTooIndia movement that has taken over the industry. Women who have faced sexual harassment in the course of their careers have come forward to name the perpetrators. The movement gained momentum after Tanushree Dutta‘s allegations against Nana Patekar came to light.
Ever since then many celebrities from the industry have come forward to support the movement. While a group of female filmmakers have taken a stand to not work with proven offenders. The latest one to condemn the heinous acts is Saif Ali Khan. In an interview with PTI, the actor recounted how he was harassed in the past and 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. 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 to me I still get angry. Today, we have to look after women.
Talking about the #MeToo movement he said:
People are offended and they want justice. What it is happening is good and it gives you a sense that something is happening. 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.
Saif also spoke about sexual offenders being punished and said:
People who have sexually harassed and abused women should pay for it.
Saif’s Humshakals co-stars, Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta also recently spoke about Sajid Khan’s repulsive behaviour on the sets of the films. Saif said he wasn’t aware of any such misconduct on the sets of the film.
He further added:
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.
Saif also spoke about swearing off any future projects with proven offenders:
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.
We hope that the industry and people, in general, come together to fight against the revolting practice that has been going on in the industry for so long.