The #MeToo movement has opened the floodgates of accusations and allegations in Bollywood. Sacred Games actor Saif Ali Khan says he stands in solidarity with women who are sharing their grave stories. Saif also said that he had faced harassment years ago but it was not sexual in nature.
Saif spoke to the news agency PTI and said, “I have also been harassed in my career, not sexually, but I have been harassed 25 years ago and I am still angry about it.” He added, “Most people don’t understand other people. It is very difficult to understand other people’s pain. I don’t want to talk about it because I am not important today. Even when I think about what happened with me I still get angry. Today, we have to look after women.”
He was of the opinion that offenders should be punished even if the crime is old. “People are offended and they want justice. What it is happening is good and it gives you a sense that something is happening. You are removing someone (from the job) and it is a big deal. You are removing a person, but everybody has worked on a project so you have to balance things. People who have sexually harassed and abused women should pay for it.”
His Humshakals co-stars, Bipasha Basu and Esha Gupta opened up about Sajid Khan’s rude behaviour towards them. Saif recalled his experience during Hamshakals and said, “I don’t remember anything like this happening genuinely because if it would have happened I would not have been comfortable in that environment or allowed it to happen in front of me.” “I would hate an atmosphere where women are being looked down upon or mistreated in any way. I don’t think that’s how an atmosphere should be.”
Since Sajid Khan stepped down from the director’s position of Housefull 4, Farhad Samji will be replacing him.
Also read: Saif Ali Khan drops major hint about ‘Sacred Games’ Season 2