Sona didn’t hesitate to share her #MeToo story

Singer Sona Mohapatra, who accused singer Kailash Kher and composer Anu Malik of sexual misconduct, says that she didn’t hesitate, didn’t think about how sharing her #MeToo story would impact her music career, because it was for the “bigger cause of a better future for the country”.

The Piya Se Naina singer was one of the first artists from the music industry who made allegation against big names like Kailash and Anu when the #MeToo fire raged in India.

Asked whether she’d take legal recourse for the matter like some other women have taken in their respective cases, Sona says, “The truth is that the on-going campaign has got collective voice. This movement is happening all around the country. Along with the women, there are good men as well who want to see the change in society.

“So, I’m not the only one who’s speaking about it. I think anyone, including the media, can file a complaint against these kind of cases, because nobody needs to be a bystander in this issue. A lot of people have found the courage to talk about their experience after I shared my story on social media.”

While many would feel scared and wouldn’t speak the truth, fearing it might hamper their career, Sona says that she wasn’t held back by any such thoughts when she decided to share her own experience. “When I shared my story, I didn’t think about how it would impact my singing or my musical career, as it was for the bigger cause of a better future for the country.

“We all want that our country should move in a positive direction and the garbage gets thrown out of the system and society. We’re looking forward to such kind of evenings where we’ll have genuine celebrations and I think we’re all counting on better days,” she says.

PHOTO: AMAL KS/HT Singer Sona Mohapatra