Delhi:
Noted filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who is known for delivering several blockbusters film like PK, 3 Idiots, and Munna Bhai MBBS, has been accused of sexual harassment by a woman, who worked in his last release Sanju. The woman said Hirani first made a sexually suggestive remark on April 9, 2018, and then assaulted her. However, Hirani has denied all such allegations. In a statement, the filmmaker said, ''I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead. I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation.”
The allegations are now affecting Hirani’s work as his upcoming film, Munnabhai 3 has been put on hold till Rajkumar Hirani gets a clean chit, as per a report in Mid-Day. A source from Star India revealed to the tabloid, ''In a meeting in late December, it was decided that Fox would pull the plug on Munna Bhai 3 if Hirani was found guilty. The studio stands in solidarity with the survivor. VVC Films too has taken the matter seriously, and dropped Hirani's name from the promotional material of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga."
"An ICC set up by VVC Films will investigate the matter. Munna Bhai 3, however, by default, is on hold till Hirani gets a clean chit,” the source added. According to an article published on the HuffPost India, the woman narrated her ordeal through an email dated November 3, 2018. "I remember forming these words on my lips - 'Sir, this is wrong. Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody - I will never be able to express myself to you'," HuffPost India quoted her November 3 mail to Chopra.
Meanwhile, Chopra’s wife and film critic Anupama Chopra, who was also marked in the mail, confirmed that the Vinod Chopra Films (VCF) has set up a committee following her complaint and will address allegations of sexual harassment.
