Earlier we reported of three women accusing filmmaker Sajid Khan of sexual harassment. With severe allegations on board and the MeToo movement gaining momentum in Bollywood, Khan stepped down as the director from the upcoming film Housefull 4. Although the investigation and legalities of the issue are still underway for the same.
However, in a recent interview with India Today, Dia Mirza who made a cameo in Sajid‘s film Heyy Babyy (2007), expressed her horror at the several accusations made at the filmmaker.
Interestingly she admits that she knew that he was always obnoxious. “I was deeply disturbed. I agree that Sajid was obnoxious, extremely sexist and ridiculous. Even for me, the details of these accounts are beyond shocking. I have personally always have had a radar for such people. I have never invested in a relationship with such people even in the workplace.”
According to Dia she was aware of Sajid’s indecent behaviour at times, she did not know that he was capable of crossing the boundaries of propriety. “We often brush off certain kind of behaviour. But I wouldn’t have imagined that Sajid could be capable of doing this to a woman. I completely understand the shock people are feeling right now, but it would be unfair to say that the names that are coming out is shocking.”
“It’s a deeply bewildering time for a lot of people. I don’t think anyone saw it coming. It is shameful that we didn’t see it coming. Most are silent mainly because of the relationship that they share with these people,” Dia added.
Asked if she has ever been a victim of sexual harassment, Dia answered, “Fortunately, I have never been a victim of sexual harassment. But there have been instances where I have lost out on work or people have shown disinterest in working with me because I was unwilling to succumb to this unspoken understanding of patriarchy.”
Apart from Sajid Khan other filmmakers and actors such as Subhash Ghai, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl to name a few have also been accused of sexual harassment.
