MeToo: Balika Vadhu fame Pratyusha Banerjee’s boyfriend Rahul Raj opens up on sexual harassment

Rahul Raj Singh, who came into news after being booked for abetting the suicide of his actor girlfriend Pratyusha Banerjee in 2016. He is currently out on bail.

With many women speaking about the atrocities they have faced in the hands of powerful men, Rahul Raj Singh narrated his share of an ordeal at the hands of a renowned screenwriter, Mushtaq Shaikh.

In a statement to the press, Rahul shed light on the entire timeline giving daunting details about the incident. 

“Shaikh, who was considered an influential person in Bollywood, insisted to meet me in late hours for discussing some projects. After the second and third meeting, he started calling me at 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM. One night, he called me up at a coffee shop in Bandra at 11:00 after which he took me to his home. His house had only one room with a single bed and film posters on the wall.” 

“Shaikh said to me, "I'm going to do something to you which you're going to enjoy." It'll be different but you'll like it, he said.

“I got scared and told him that I know your family. I'm not against your preferences but I'm your friend and every relationship is not about sex. He said, “Don’t worry! Next time you’ll be ready.”

“I left and lost the film at Mukta Arts and then he stopped taking my calls. I felt I should complain to Subhash Ghai, but seeing their proximity, I was scared and withdrew.”

Adding another incident, Rahul said, “Later, I was chosen for a TV serial called Amber Dhara on Sony TV. I became popular as the first blind hero on the national television.” 

“Then, I got a call from Mushtaq saying he was the one who chose me for the role being a part of the production house. This destroyed my confidence and self-belief.”

“Then I was signed for another show on Sahara TV and Mushtaq was again heading Sahara. He extended his offer again to sleep with him to keep my job and I refused. Somehow, my character was out of the show soon.

Later, it was another show for Sahara and Mushtaq's roving eye caught me again. So, he again called me to meet him at night. We were driving in the car towards Aarey milk colony at Goregaon East when he suddenly grabbed my head and started unbuttoning my shirt. I got very angry and upset and warned him about leaving him in the middle of the jungle.

After that he made sure I get no offers and audition calls. I used to earn 3-4 Lakhs per month in those days. 

Concluding his statement, Rahul said, “I owe answers to my friends and fans as to why I quit TV. It was because of Mushtaq Shaikh. I have answered this to my parents 10 years ago saying I can't do this because this will require me to sleep with someone.”

“He should be called 'Mistake Shaikh', not because of his sexual orientation, but because of his attitude.”
“I wanted to tell my story to the world knowing that there will be people gunning after me now. But I know the truth and so does my roommate Asif."

Rahul recently confirmed his relationship with Saloni on Instagram. “Love of my life! Sweetbun .. thank u for being there ...,” he had captioned a photo with her.

View this post on Instagram

It has been a long year for me...one which had many ups and downs..several highs and several lows....but like they say...what does not kill u...only makes you stronger...on my Birthday today...I would like to wish every single person who came,who wished me,who called and messaged,and even those who didn't!! Thanks so much!! And of course A Very Happy Birthday to Me!!! 1This is my year and I will come out with positivity and hopefully with a lot of success! A special thanks to my dear Saloni Sharma@onlysimkie...my soon to be wife and partner for life...u have been there when no one could!! Loved all the surprises!! THANK YOU BAPI MA FOR THE WONDERFUL VIDEO! Thank you to my dear family for giving birth to me so I can celebrate this day!! Thank you Raj and Tanya for your midnight visit! Thank you Rahul Dwivedi for your creativity...Thank you Bablu and Dharmendra for being there smiling and dancing...Thank uuuu! Muah!

A post shared by Rahul Raj Singh (@iamrahulrajsingh) on May 29, 2018 at 4:29am PDT

Rahul was in a relationship with Balika Vadhu star Pratyusha when she committed suicide on April 1, 2016 allegedly after a heated argument with him. He was found guilty of abetting the suicide but was released on bail. “I’ve done nothing wrong. So I don’t feel guilty. If the courts had any doubts about my innocence, they’d have cancelled my bail. May 29th was my birthday. A day later, I got this wonderful gift from the courts,” he had told IANS in June 2017.

View this post on Instagram

Kuchh toh hai tujhse raabta.... Tu humsafar hai phir kya fikar hai.... @rahul.r.singh.378

A post shared by Pratyusha Banerjee (@iamprats) on Oct 2, 2015 at 10:48am PDT

The #MeToo movement has taken the social media by storm after model-turned-actress Tanushree Dutta, last month, recounted a decade-old controversy with sexual harassment allegations against Nana Patekar.