"I can dare to tell that I have been harassed by Sajid Khan"
Indian model Paula has claimed that filmmaker Sajid Khan told her “to strip in front of him” so she could get a film role. She alleged that the incident happened when she was 17-years-old.
The #MeToo wave hit Bollywood in 2018 after actress Tanushree Dutta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassment.
This resulted in allegations against numerous male celebrities and this included Sajid.
Sajid has been accused once again of sexual harassment by Paula. She broke her silence on Instagram. In a series of posts, she alleged that he told her strip under the pretence of getting a role in his 2010 film Housefull.
The model went on to say that she did not say anything earlier because of her family.
Paula explained: “When #MeToo movement started, a lot of people spoke about Sajid Khan but I did not dare to because like every other actor who has no godfather and had to earn for a family I kept quiet.
“Now I don’t have my parents with me. I’m earning for myself. I can dare to tell that I have been harassed by Sajid Khan at the age of 17.”
She went on to say that when she was called in by the direction for an audition, he sexually harassed her.
“He spoke dirty to me. He tried to touch me. He even told me to strip in front of him just to get a role in his upcoming Housefull movie.”
While Paula shared her ordeal, she stated that she feared for the other potential victims who went through the same thing.
“God knows with how many girls he has done this. I am coming out now not for any pity party.
“It’s just that I realised that had affected me so bad when I was a child and chose not to speak. But it’s high time no?
“These B*****ds should be behind bars not only for casting couch but also for manipulating and for stealing away your dreams.”
“But I did not stop!! But the wrong I did was not to speak about it!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6l9OyD4SP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This is not the first time that the director has been accused of sexual harassment.
Sajid Khan had been filming Housefull 4 but stepped down midway after being accused of sexual harassment by a former assistant director in 2018.
More women later came forward and shared their ordeal at the hands of Sajid.
One victim alleged that the director asked her inappropriate questions, including if she would have sex with a dog for money.
As a result of the multiple accusations, the Indian Film and Television Director’s Association (IFTDA) banned Sajid for a year.
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