The #Metoo movement in Bollywood which started a while back is far from dying down. Ever since Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of their film Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008, a number of celebrities have come out in her support. Recently, Preity Zinta was asked about her opinion on the entire #MeToo movement and she spoke about it in an interview with Bollywood Hungama.
She said,
I think it’s important that this whole #MeToo movement has started but it’s also important that women use it for the right thing because there are men and women that would use their position of power for their advantage. But, I do feel bad when women are using it when it’s not that serious or for personal vendetta or for publicity. There is a very small percentage of women that are using it and they’re diluting the movement but then there are also women who’ve gone through all of this and we being in the industry have heard so many stories.
She added,
So if you want to acknowledge that there’s a problem, you have to first at least admit that there is and then you solve the problem. But, this ‘Me Too’ movement if it’s this much in the film industry, it’s that much in every other industry. At least we have a spotlight here in this industry and people listen to you and the media is there but if you’re telling me it’s not in other industries and not in the business world and not in politics, that’s rubbish.
When Preity was asked if she has had any personal experience, she said,
No, I haven’t, I wish I had. (laughs) At least, then, I would have had an answer to tell you. No, and that’s what I am saying that this is a very relevant question because people treat you the way you want to be treated.
Preity got a lot of backlash for her comment and then she took to Twitter to clarify on the matter.
Below is her tweet:
After Tanushree opened up, a number of other women too came forward and shared their stories. Celebrities like Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Subhash Ghai, Chetan Bhagat, Sajid Khan and others have also been accused of sexual misconduct.