A 33-year-old woman has written to the National Commission for Women (NCW) alleging that Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya used to make her watch porn videos whenever she visited his office in Mumbai. In a complaint filed with the police, the woman, an assistant choreographer, has alleged that Acharya and two women assaulted her during a function of the Indian Film and Television Choreographers Association (IFTCA) held in suburban Andheri on Sunday.
Besides Acharya, the complainant has named Jayashree Kelkar and Preeti Lad in her complaint for assault, a police official said on Tuesday. Calls made to Acharya for his reaction remained unanswered.
In her letter to the NCW, the woman claimed that Acharya forced her to watch adult videos whenever she visited his office. In her complaint with Amboli police station, she alleged that Acharya was demanding a commission from her for working in the film industry.
The woman is also a member of the IFTCA. Acharya, who was elected as a general secretary of the IFTCA, used to frequently call the complainant at the office in Andheri, the police official said quoting the complaint.
On January 26, when she reached the IFTCA office, Acharya shouted at her and announced that she was being "suspended", he said. Acharya grew furious after the complainant told him that she is a member of the IFTCA and allegedly asked his team member, Jayashree Kelkar, to slap her, the police official said.
"Kelkar and Preeti Lad hit me in public view which was captured on the CCTV," the complaint stated. Police have registered a non-cognisable (NC) offence and investigating, the official added.
Earlier, veteran choreographer Saroj Khan accused Acharya of exploiting his dancers and using his position to malign the Cine Dancers Association (CDA). Acharya, however, fended off the allegations made against by Khan.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on January 17, Saroj Khan said, "I am just saddened that Ganesh wants to divide this association which is not good. He and his father were associated with this association. It is good that we have rejoined the federation because we have to take some steps."
Tanushree Dutta had also lashed out at the choreographer for spreading "malicious rumours" about her. Along with Nana Patekar, Tanushree had filed a complaint against Ganesh Acharya as well. He was the choreographer for the 2008 film Horn OK pleassss.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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