Hum Aapke Hain Koun actress Renuka Shahane became the latest to join to #MeToo movement after disclosing her own story of sexual harassment. While TV producer Vinta Nanda’s accusations against actor Alok Nath shocked many, Renuka said she was aware of the accusations against the veteran actor.
The 55-year-old actor, who is known for supporting women’s causes and was among the first to show her support for actor Tanushree Dutta, also slammed those that were shaming and accusing Vinta of telling lies and questioning her silence for all these years. Actors Sandhya Mridul and Deepika Amin have also accused Alok of sexual misconduct.
“How can someone victimize the victim more by pointing fingers at them first? Why can’t people give the victim a benefit of doubt for a change?” said Renuka in an interview with Pinkvilla. She further questioned the men, who knew about Alok but did not open up.
“It is not about an easy thing to say,” said Renuka. It is not just the question of women, I know so many men who have been harassed as kids… how many of them can speak out? It is not about gender, anyone who has undergone trauma of this sort, it takes years because our society, firstly, questions the victim, blames them. It doubles up when you’re a woman. At least listen, at least take it seriously.
Supporting the women, who were brave to come out and open up, Renuka shared her story too. She said, “I will confess and there is no person that I could blame. I had gone to shoot to Noida for Antakshari, a new studio of Zee had come out there so we had gone there to shoot outdoors and I had done many outdoors so I was used to being alone in the room. There was this person who came for room service and he started masturbating in front of me. First, he said that he is a big fan of mine and all that and I said thank you. After placing the food, he started masturbating. It is such a horrifying thing and I immediately told him to get out and will complaint with the manager. Post this, I called my Antakshari assistant Ashwini to come up to the room and stay with me. I was so shaken to the core. Ever since after that I am never alone in my room. I am always with my hairdresser. People feel that only in industry such incidence happen but there are so many random people whom you have to deal with. (sic)”
She also admitted that actor Deepika Amin had narrated her ordeal after the incident had taken place. “Yes, Deepika Amin did. Obviously, she is my friend. I can’t just go out and say this is what she has faced. Alok Nath was a big name. People are saying that he is no Salman Khan but on Television, he was the top star. People believed in him because of the work he did, he was a fantastic actor and still is. But when I had heard that I had also heard other men talking who attended parties. I am not a party person so I did not see it with my own eyes but in the industry, many people knew about this.”
Renuka also questioned the people in the industry, many of whom, she belives, knew about Alok’s behaviour. “Why aren’t these men being questioned that why did they do nothing when they knew about this? Why did they cast him in their films and serials repetitively?” she asked.
She also showed her support towards co-actor Sandhya Mridul and praised her for sharing her story. “If you read her case, in that she said that after the end of this, she cried like a small baby when he said that he will change his ways. We all have that we should give a second chance if he is really feeling that bad and horrible. That poor girl in good fate said fine but he went back and maligned her. Everybody today is coming ahead with their stories because they feel that a few people will hear. But earlier, people spoke to individuals, who would advise them to try and forget it and things. This can lead to depression, lack of courage to go back to the situation or outdoors.”
Renuka said she was glad that this movement had helped many women share their own harrowing experiences but at the same feared the treatment and shaming of the victims that could derail the courage of others to speak up.
What really affects me is how can you victimize the victim further and thereby push others who want to open up. What derails the entire movement though is the same questions being asked to the victim ki itne time ke badh kyu bola, publicity chahiye.. Okay fine.. publicity chahiye agar aap keh rahe ho toh, are you also saying that that thing did not happen? Agar hua toh shouldn’t it be dealt with at some point of time.”
Alok Nath is, however, one of many celebrities to have been accused of sexual harassment. Directors Vikas Bahl and Rajat Kapoor, singer Kailash Kher and Nana Patekar are among the others to have been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment.