“This is not the Anurag Kashyap I know."
Taapsee Pannu has stood by Anurag Kashyap after he allegedly sexually harassed actress Payal Ghosh.
Payal gave a detailed account of what allegedly happened and called Kashyap a “f***ing hypocrite” for speaking about women empowerment.
She explained that the filmmaker called her, claiming he wanted to talk to her about something. After arriving at his place, they then went into another room where the alleged incident happened.
Payal said: “I went to meet him and the next day when he took me to the other room, he opened his zip and tried to force his c**k inside my vagina by opening my Salwar Kameez.
“Then he said ‘it was okay, all the actresses who worked with me like Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadha, Mahi Gil, they are just a call away’.
“And whenever I call them, they come running and suck my c**k.
“That’s what he told me and expected me to do the same.”
She went on to say that Kashyap said physical relationships between actresses and directors are normal and “not a big deal”.
Many were shocked at the allegations and called for Kashyap’s arrest.
However, many celebrities came out and defended the Bollywood director.
One unnamed actress said: “This is not the Anurag Kashyap I know. Please don’t quote me.”
Another was Taapsee Pannu, who starred in Manmarziyaan, which was directed by Kashyap and also played a lead role in Saand Ki Aankh, which he produced, came to the defence of Kashyap.
Taapsee had previously showed her support on Instagram, writing:
“For you, my friend, are the biggest feminist I know.
“See you on the sets soon of yet another piece of art that shows how powerful and significant women are in the world you create.”
She has now stood by Kashyap while also defending Payal’s right to have her say.
Taapsee said: “I hope she gets heard about what she has to say. A thorough investigation should be done in regards to her claim.”
The actress said that she believed that Kashyap has not misbehaved with women.
“As far as I know Anurag, he is one of those people in the industry who have utmost respect for every woman he knows.”
Having worked with him, Taapsee said she never witnessed him harassing a woman.
“I’ve never seen him ever disrespecting a woman, forget about ill-treating or harassing any woman.
“And I have heard the same things about him from the women who have worked with him and whom I’ve met.”
Anurag Kashyap denied the allegations, calling Payal’s claims “baseless”.
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