#MeToo: Subhash Ghai accused of drugging and raping woman

Director Subhash Ghai is the latest bigwig of Bollywood who is added to the list of sexual predators in the #MeToo movement. Notably, an anonymous woman on Twitter has accused Subhash Ghai of sexual harassment. She said, Ghai drugged and raped her in a hotel.

Writer Mahima Kukreja shared screenshots of a private conversation on Twitter on Thursday, wherein the victim recalled her horrific encounter with Subhash Ghai. The victim told Mahima that Ghai drugged her drink and then raped her when she was working with him on a film.

The victim said, “He said he would be my mentor and would guide me in the film industry. I listened to him because I had no Godfather in the film industry and no friends. I was new to Mumbai. But I was hungry to learn and to prove to my parents that being a director was my true calling.”

She further noted that Subhash Ghai used to call her for script sessions at his apartment, which was not the house he stayed with his wife. “Instead of script session he started talking about how he was so misunderstood in the industry and only I was the one who loved him. He pretended to weep, and put his head on my lap. Then when he was getting up he kissed me forcefully. I was shocked and left that day,” the victim added.

TW: drugging and raping. About Shubash Ghai. Told personally by the woman who faced the trauma. She’s also a very credible media/lit personality. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/QpmGfy1s0V

— Mahima Kukreja ??✊? (@AGirlOfHerWords) October 11, 2018

After this incident, she was shocked, but couldn’t leave work as she had no other job or any financial security.

Then one evening, “he gave me a drink as well it was spiked. After that I remember getting into his car and I thought he was dropping me home. But he made Babu drive to Lonavala. I was in and out of consciousness but I remember clearly and I swear on my child that I asked him where are we going and please take me home. He took me to Fariyas hotel. He said he went there regularly to write. They always had a suite available for him. I was wobbly but he held me and took me to the suite. He took off my jeans and he mounted me. I was trying to scream but he put his hand over my mouth. I was also not very lucid because of the drug in my drink. So I cried and passed out. Next morning I remember he had ordered some toast and was having breakfast when I woke up. The sofas were red and musty. The sunlight streamed in from the windows to my right. I vomited,” the victim said.

TW: drugging and raping. About Shubash Ghai. Told personally by the woman who faced the trauma. She’s also a very credible media/lit personality. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/YVMRZSpQc6

— Mahima Kukreja ??✊? (@AGirlOfHerWords) October 11, 2018

However, Subhash Ghai strongly denied the allegations made against him. He said, “As I hear some allegation made against me in the air from section of media, I state hereby to the best of my truth.”

“It’s very sad that it’s becoming a fashion to malign anyone known, bringing some stories from past without any truth or half-truth. I deny strictly and firmly all false allegation like these,” he added.

In the end, Ghai said, “I have always respected every woman in my life and at workplace whatsoever. We live with dignity and respect other’s dignity always.”

Importantly, several other film personalities such as directors Vikas Bahl and Rajat Kapoor, singer Kailash Kher and actor Alok Nath have been named in a wave of sexual misconduct allegations, spurred on by actor Tanushree Dutta’s claims that she was harassed by Nana Patekar on the sets of a 2008 movie.

Also Read: #MeToo: Four women accuse Suhel Seth of sexual harassment