The #MeToo movement has brought to light allegations of serious sexual misconduct levelled by several women against filmmaker Subhash Ghai. And it’s reliably learnt that the disgraced showman is likely to lose the 5.5 acres of land allotted to him by the Maharashtra Government for the establishment of his acting school.
A source close to the development says, “It is one thing for casting directors and young directors to be accused of sexual harassment. But for a formidable veteran like Ghai, who has given Indian cinema so many landmark films and launched actors like Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit and Manisha Koirala, this disgrace is a real low blow. It shows the entertainment industry in an awful light. It no longer makes sense to allot land to him for creative purposes.”
And while most of Ghai’s close friends and associates from the industry are choosing not to comment on the charges levelled against him, one of them, on condition of anonymity, says, “I have heard about his casting methods. But I have never witnessed them. Are we to forget all that he has contributed to Hindi cinema? What about other great filmmakers, who, as a routine, ask for and get sexual favours?”
If you’re asking us, we think their names should come out as well. #TimesUp.
