MUMBAI: The #MeToo movement has had many celebrities coming out in the open about their experiences with sexual harassment. It recently gained momentum with Tanushree Dutta accusing Nana Patekar. Recently, veteran writer and producer Vinta Nanda accused the most loved ‘babuji’ aka Alok Nath of sexual violence. Talented actress Sandhya Mridul too mentioned a similar experience with Alok Nath.
Here’s everything that has unfolded until now in the Vinta Nanda–Alok Nath row.
Vinta accuses Alok Nath of rape
Vinta Nanda, writer–producer of the avant-garde 1990s’ show Tara, accused actor Alok Nath, known for his ‘sanskaari’ on-screen image, of sexually violating her almost two decades ago.
‘I have waited for this moment to come for 19 years,’ Nanda wrote in a long, heart-wrenching Facebook post, referring to the ‘predator in question’ as ‘the actor par excellence who is known as the most “sanskaari” (cultured) person in the film and television industry’. Her suggestive remarks like ‘sanskaari’ and that the person concerned was the ‘lead actor’ and a ‘television star of that decade’ were good enough to determine that Vinta was indeed referring to Alok.
‘He was an alcoholic, shameless and obnoxious but he was also the television star of that decade, so not only was he forgiven for all his bad behaviour, many of the guys would also egg him on to be his worst,’ Nanda wrote, adding that he even harassed the show's lead actress, who was not interested in him.
Sharing the ‘worst’ that happened, Vinta recounted the incidents that followed after she left a party at Alok's house at 2 AM. She says her drinks were mixed.
‘I started to walk home on the empty streets... Midway, I was accosted by this man who was driving his own car and he asked me to sit in it and said he would drop me home. I trusted him and sat in his car.’
‘I have faint memory after that. I can remember more liquor being poured into my mouth and I remember being violated endlessly. When I woke up the next afternoon, I was in pain. I hadn't just been raped, I was taken to my own house and had been brutalised. I couldn't get up for my bed. I told some of my friends but everybody advised me to forget about it and move on.’
Later, she got a job to write and direct a series for Plus Channel, and again, her paths crossed with Alok.
‘The man found his way through the casting route and became one of the lead actors on the show. He created an environment in which I was made to feel threatened, so I asked the producers to release me from directing the series because I didn't want to be around where he was. I continued to write the show.’
The ‘most difficult part’ and the ‘main reason’ she took so long to come out with the truth was because while she was working on this new series, Alok asked her to come to his house again and she allowed him to violate her.
‘I needed the job and didn't want to leave it as I needed the money. It was after this that I quit.’
Alok Nath responds
‘“Kuch to log kahenge” (People will say something). Neither I am denying this nor do I agree with it. It (rape) must have happened, but someone else would have done it. Well, I do not want to talk much about it. As for the matter, if it has come out, it will be stretched. However, we only have to hear to women's stand because they are considered weak.’
The Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA) has decided to send him a show cause notice.
Asked about his ‘sanskaari’ image, Alok said, ‘What do I have to do with people? People will say anything to spoil the image. Leave my image, whatever has been said, it is absurd...today she said such a big thing. In a way, it was me who made her what she is. It is useless to react on the allegations as in today's world, whatever a woman says, only that will be considered. In such a situation, it would be wrong to say anything.’
After Vinta, Sandhya Mridul accuses Alok Nath
Sandhya Mridul stood in support of Vinta and opened up about being harassed by Alok Nath and narrated the incident she faced with the veteran actor:
Keep reading his space for more updates.
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