#MeToo: Sajid Khan’s behaviour was obnoxious and sexist: Dia Mirza

And now a decade later, when Tanushree opened the can of worms, Nana Patekar has completely refuted her allegations. In the wake of Me Too movement, several Bollywood actors have come out in open to express their opinion about the growing sexual harassment cases in the Hindi cinema industry. Recently, Sajid Khan's name was called out as the alleged sexual predators. 

Among names that came out and responded on the #MeToo rage, another name from the Bollywood made it to the list. Actor Dia Mirza has said that she was aware of director Sajid Khan’s “ridiculous and sexist” behaviour but had no idea he could stoop to this level.

Speaking to India Today, she said: “I was deeply disturbed. I agree that Sajid was obnoxious, extremely sexist and ridiculous. Even for me, the details of these accounts are beyond shocking. I have personally always have had a radar for such people. I have never invested in a relationship with such people even in the workplace.”Dia thinks most people are silent mainly because of the relationship that they share with these alleged offenders.

She said that these incidents showed how deep patriarchy ran in society and Bollywood and added that in the coming weeks many more names will tumble out. Many others are silent, she said, because of the relationship they share with such people.

She added how she had, in the past, brushed aside such behaviour. “We often brush off certain kind of behaviour. But I wouldn’t have imagined that Sajid could be capable of doing this to a woman. I completely understand the shock people are feeling right now, but it would be unfair to say that the names that are coming out are shocking.”

Rehna Hai Tere Dil men actor Dia Mirza has come out to articulate her viewpoint. She said that she has never had to face such a situation and added that she has lost work in the past because she was not willing to comply with a lot of things. “Fortunately, I have never been a victim of sexual harassment. But there have been instances where I have lost out on work or people have shown disinterest in working with me because I was unwilling to succumb to this unspoken understanding of patriarchy.”

At least four women -- journalist Karishma Upadhyay, actors Rachel White and Simran Soni and assistant director Saloni Chopra have accused Sajid of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. 

Sajid is among the Bollywood personalities who were named by women as part of the MeToo campaign. Sajid Khan’s cousin Farhan Akhtar has expressed shock after learning of these allegations against him. While his sister Farah Khan denied being aware of his behaviour.