We’re growing up to #MeToo: Kashyap

Accused of inaction in the Vikas Bahl case, the filmmaker says he stayed silent to protect the victim

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who is now embroiled in a legal battle with his former partner and director Vikas Bahl, Thursday said the #MeToo movement has given voice to years of anger.

Bahl has been accused of sexual harassment by an employee of the nowdissolved Phantom Films, the company that was founded by Kashyap, Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena. Kashyap and Motwane have been under fire for their alleged inaction in the sexual harassment allegations against Bahl. Both Kashyap and Motwane have denied the charge.

Kashyap, in an interview, said there is a need to understand and grow up to the movement, which has taken the industry by storm.

“All these years of my silence (was) to protect one person, the victim. I have voluntarily taken consequences and stepped back from work. I will not explain my actions. My priority is something else,” Kashyap said. Asked if his priority now was justice for the victim, he said it was the woman’s peace.

Kashyap and Motwane had earlier filed affidavits, stating Bahl confessed to the incident and also said he has done so to many women. The woman, who accused Bahl of sexual misconduct, filed an affidavit on Thursday stating that she stood by her allegations but does not want to pursue the case further. She initially expressed her reluctance to file an affidavit and had only submitted a statement.

Asked about the fact that Tanushree Datta and Vinta Nanda were the only ones to take legal action so far and not many women have followed that route, Kashyap said, “We are still growing up to it, we are still understanding it. Years of anger will come out and then people will come to know what is the right way. We all will take time to understand. I don’t want to say anything further. Till my noncomplicity is proven, I am not qualified to comment on it.”

Bahl is seeking a court direction to Kashyap, Motwane and Mantena to refrain from speaking to the media or posting on social media about the case. He is also seeking damages of ₹10 crore in a defamation case against Kashyap and Motwane.

He declined to talk further on the #MeToo movement. “I cannot talk much. Because at this moment whatever I say may be misconstrued or can be taken in any which way and can be used here (in this case),” Kashyap added.

THE WOMAN, WHO ACCUSED DIRECTOR VIKAS BAHL OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, FILED AN AFFIDAVIT ON THURSDAY STATING SHE STOOD BY HER ALLEGATIONS BUT DOES NOT WANT TO PURSUE THE CASE FURTHER

PHOTO: PRODIP GUHA/HT Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap