Model and actress Kate Sharma have filed a molestation complaint against veteran director Subhash Ghai at the Versova police station in Mumbai. She has claimed that the director tried to “forcibly hug and kiss her”.
While addressing the media after filing the complaint, Kate is quoted as saying by ANI,
“He called me to his house on August 6. There were about five to six people at his house and in front of everybody, he asked me to give him a massage. It was shocking for me but I respected his seniority and agreed. I massaged him for two to three minutes and then went to the washroom to wash my hand. He followed me to there. He then took me to his room saying that he wanted to talk to me about something. However, he grabbed me and tried to kiss and hug me. I told him that I wanted to leave. He then threatened me and said that he will not launch me if I do not stay with him for the night.”
In response to the complaint, Ghai called himself a great supporter of #MeToo movement but is pained that people are trying to harm his reputation. “I am surely a great supporter of the #MeToo movement and women empowerment but hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it for their own short time fame. I feel grief if some one trying 2harm my reputation.Any way my lawyers will take care of matter,” he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/SubhashGhai1/status/1051307163002515456?s=19
Earlier, on Thursday, Mahima Kukreja had shared the account of an unnamed woman, who accused Ghai of raping her after spiking her drink. The woman claimed Ghai promised to be her “mentor in the film industry” and often invited her to late-night sessions at a two-bedroom flat, which she said he called his “thinking pad.” She accused Ghai of trying to touch her inappropriately and later spiking her drink. She said he later took her to a hotel, where a suite was always reserved for him, and raped her there.
Ghai had then denied the allegations and also added that he’ll sue the survivor for defamation if she can’t prove the allegations. “If she claims this way, she should go to the court of law and prove it. Justice will be done or I will go for defamation certainly.” he said.
https://twitter.com/SubhashGhai1/status/1050578797584687104?s=19
The 73 year old director – producer is amongst the several other accused of sexual harassment including Directors Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl , Actor – Director Rajat Kapoor, Nana Patekar.