‘It is going to be a different environment’
Says Arjun Kapoor on the #MeToo wave in Bollywood
There were always whispers in the industry about the allegations of sexual harassment against Vikas Bahl, says Arjun Kapoor, who is shocked that it happened at Phantom Films, a production banner which was viewed as a torchbearer of change in cinema. Arjun said he had interacted with the four filmmakers and it was saddening to read the details.
“There was speculation in the industry.There were certain people who knew the reality within the office (Phantom Films). The hearsay doesn’t allow us the power to do something when people within the office are not doing something. It is like when there is a robbery happening in your house, the neighbour can’t file the complaint. Not having an HR in office is bizarre, I am not able to wrap my head around this... It is basic for any company, you could have saved the girl from further damage if you had a safe environment in your office, it is sad and bizarre,” Arjun said.
Arjun further added that there is not point giving individuals importance by discussing them as everyone is still coming to terms with it. We had only heard, we had no understanding. It is unfortunate as they were intelligent, sorted and successful people who were going to be the torchbearers of change in our films. It is a sad time for people as we are still processing what happened. There is no reason talking about individuals, giving them more importance than they deserve. They will be outcast anyway.”
The #MeToo movement of India has brought out several skeletons out of the closet. Personalities like Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl and Kailash Kher have been accused of sexual harassment. Asked whether he will ever collaborate with people who have been named, “These are not important things. You think society will allow them to exist? Work is a farfetched thing. People who are going to be named are not going to be able to roam around easily. It is going to be a different environment,” Arjun opined.