The Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar harassment case has encouraged another woman to report an incident of sexual assault in Bollywood - and Kangana says she believes her.
Indian director Vikas Bahl has been called out by a female crew member from the set of Bombay Velvet for sexually assaulting her. She revealed details of the incident to HuffPo India.
Kangana says she stands in support of the woman, saying that she has also faced sexual harassment at the hands of the Queen director.
"Even though Vikas was married back in 2014 when we were filming Queen, he bragged about having casual sex with a new partner every other day. I don't judge people and their marriages but you can tell when addiction becomes sickness. He partied every night and shamed me for sleeping early and not being cool enough," said the actor in an interview with India Today.
Kangana continued, "I often told him off. He was scared of me but still every time we met, socially greeted and hugged each other, he'd bury his face in my neck and hold me really tight and breathe in the smell of my hair. It took me great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace. He'd say, 'I love how you smell K'."
"I could tell something is wrong with him. I believe this girl. But what is sad, is that now that Phantom has been dissolved, many are attacking him, even though the girl asked for help long ago.
At that time, the story was conveniently killed, but I supported her at that time as well. You can see my media interaction during one of my brand endorsement interactions. I thought the movement [MeToo] would catch up but I was wrong," said the 31-year-old actor.
Kangana is not the only one from Bollywood to support the woman, Indian director Hansal Mehta, Nandita Das, and several others also tweeted asking people to oust predators in the industry.
Will anybody do anything about this bloody creep or will the industry protect him like it always does? 'Queen' Director Vikas Bahl Sexually Assaulted Me, Phantom Films Did Nothing: Survivor Speaks Out https://t.co/dKeqlMkE0n
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 6, 2018
Dear Star, the quality of your trolls say a lot about who you are and to what lengths you will go to protect your film (still justifiable) and to protect even the predator who has directed your film. Grow up sir. https://t.co/3mwKnXJYuC
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 6, 2018
Same goes for Kangana fans who are making it their victory. Stars need to know that everything isn't about them. There are other human beings on this planet and their well being is equally important. In fact more important because the voiceless and defenseless need our support. https://t.co/3ZJhomrh0C
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 6, 2018
I'm done with twitter. A platform that has ambiguous guidelines about hatred, negativity and abuse is no platform for debate or discussion - forget social change. Goodbye.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 6, 2018
You've to teach your young girls & boys there'll be somebody who might want to exploit you, you've to stand up to that & also for others who're getting exploited. Don't dismiss someone raising their voice: Pooja Bhatt on sexual harassment allegations against director #VikasBahl pic.twitter.com/pgohBXwqvV
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2018
The most outspoken voice on #TanushreeDutta and #VikasBahl at @WeTheWomenAsia this evening in Bangalore was @sonamakapoor who said those in the industry who do not take a position even when asked a direct question are cowards. #WeTheWomen #MeToo https://t.co/vjvhEThmup
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 7, 2018
In the wake of the Nana Patekar-Tanushree Dutta row, Bollywood diva Kangana Ranaut lent support to a girl who accused her 'Queen' director Vikas Bahl of sexual harassment
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 7, 2018
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/9jK6vvoHjp pic.twitter.com/fgi7beNGtx
