Two lawsuits have been filed against celebrated Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar in British Columbia Supreme Court, Canada, following a complaint by Percy Shroff and Jimmy Mistry of North Vancouver.
According to a report published in CBC News, the two alleged that they endured years of “unwanted sexual touching” at the hands of Shiamak, who they say “abused his authority as their spiritual leader to control all aspects of their lives”. Shiamak was leader of a sect called VRRP Spiritual Learning group.
“I used to believe that his word was God. I just wanted to please him,” 40-year old Percy Shroff was quoted as saying by CBC. He claimed Shiamak began grooming him for sexual exploitation when he was 16, and he is suing now to protect his young son.
However, Shiamak Davar, who has been Shahid Kapoor's dance guru and has danced with celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, has denied the allegations made against him. In a written response to the lawsuits, the choreographer claimed the allegations are not true and that the two former dancers are trying to ruin “his character, reputation and affiliated organisations”.
The report further says Shiamak, who spends a considerable time in North Vancouver, says he is the “custodian” of VRRP, not its leader, and that if the two men believed he was their spiritual guru, that was their personal view.
In the report, Shroff vividly explains the abuse and claims he had confronted Shiamak about having sex with young students. “I said Shiamak, you need to stop because these are your dance and spiritual students who come to you for advice.”
None of the allegations, however, have been proven and Shiamak Davar has asked the court to dismiss both lawsuits, with costs.
