Bollywood actress Mandana Karimi, who has been pretty vocal about the ongoing #MeToo movement in the industry, recently opened up about her own harassment episode on a film set. She accused Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 director Umesh Ghadge of allegedly harassing her during the shoot. Talking to a news agency, she said, “Umesh Ghadge started harassing me by changing the steps in the song,putting other people in the song saying this is last minute decision. Calling me early on set, asking me to wear clothes that I was not even supposed to wear, keeping me waiting: Mandana Karimi on #Metoo.”
"An experience led me to leave my profession which I loved. Harassment doesn’t mean to touch me, it means to make my life hell. I was too miserable. I didn’t talk to anybody about it. It was my Kya Kool Hain Hum 3 director. His name is Umesh," she added.
Earlier, Mandana Karimi spoke bravely about how these happens often in the industry and how she was told to get a hang of it. She told Times Now, “I have personally experienced this and I have been called a drama queen and someone with too much attitude. Even to the extent of someone saying that I'm not from here and this is how things work in India. It reached a point where I decided to just keep my mouth shut and my thoughts to myself and accept the fact that women have no voice. And if they do say something then there are consequences for what they say."
Talking about Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy, she said, “I encourage all women that have faced adversity to express themselves and know that we are all here to support each other. What happened to Tanushree Dutta wasn't right, we need to address it and take action. Together.”
On a related note, Sajid Khan had been accused of sexual harassment by three women including two actresses Saloni Chopra and Rachel White. Commenting on the same, sister Farah Khan wrote, “This is a heartbreaking time for my family.We have to work through some very difficult issues. If my brother has behaved in this manner he has a lot to atone for.I don’t in any way endorse this behavior and Stand in solidarity with any woman who has been hurt.”
Consequently, Sajid Khan has been sacked from Housefull 4 project as Akshay Kumar has refused to work with any ‘proven offender’.