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EXCLUSIVE: Preity Zinta on MeToo movement, Tanushree Dutta and Chetan Bhagat sexual misconduct allegations
Preity Zinta in an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla opens up about the MeToo movement, Chetan Bhagat's sexual misconduct allegations and more. Read her statement.
The MeToo movement has finally reached India with a number of women and men irrespective of their fields telling their stories related to sexual harassment. Powerful men are being called out and shamed on the social media. This all started after former Miss India and Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta reiterated her story of being allegedly harassed by veteran actor Nana Patekar on the sets of Horn Ok Pleass in 2008. Nana has sent a legal notice to Dutta who later filed a complaint with the police and also sought help from the Maharashtra Women Commission in the matter.
Many Bollywood celebs including Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Taapsee Pannu, Swara Bhasker, Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Varun Dhawan among others are coming forward to share their views on the movement. Preity Zinta in an exclusive chat with us spoke on the matter at length. When we asked Preity her stand on people questioning the timing and intentions of women who are recounting their horrific stories, Preity said, "See, first of all as a society in India when anything of this sort happens we don't want to accept it and want to brush it under the carpet. I think that all these things are coming out is a very positive step because unless you identify the problem, you cannot find solution to it."
However, contrary to many opinions, Preity said she feels the media industry is probably safer than many other industries for women. She added, "Having said that, in this industry specially women are a lot more secure than other industry because there is media, there is a lot of attention and spotlight. I can tell you women in a lot of different industries that are discriminated against and abused and troubled. No one listens to them. You (media) is not going to interview them and if they ever wanted to complaint, there is so much money, wealth and power that they will silence that voice. So, that way our industry is probably one of the safest."
She further continued, "Having said that this is not a man Vs woman thing at all. I have been here for 20 years and I have never had a situation like that, guys have been wonderful. Again having said that, it doesn't mean they don't exist. I think it is very important to be compassionate when somebody speaks up. And when people say, 'why didn't you speak up then?' It's very difficult to. Even in my case (Ness Wadia molestation case) when I first spoke up, a female journalist in Delhi was saying that I am doing this for publicity. Really? You think women want this kind of publicity? Because the backlash you get is unbelievable. I think hence this movement is a positive step as you have to have an environment which is conducive for people to work. Pride and self-respect is a fundamental right, you cannot mistreat people. At the same time, you also have to manage expectations."
"There are some people who will do anything, man and woman. So you cannot generalise. There will be attraction between people but you have to manage expectations. If someone calls you at midnight for casting then you are stupid to go there, and at the same time if you are doing an item number doesn't mean you are available," she stated and added, "So, it is not okay if something like this happens but at the same time, if it happens, it is graceful, like Chetan Bhagat did, he went and apologised. I had a lot more respect for him because we are all humans and we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. Everybody has made mistakes. You don't have to demonise someone because the change is something you can do in the future and not in the past. But if a woman is coming out and saying their stories, at least other women, if you were not there, if you can't support her, please keep quiet. It is very tough for a woman to speak up so if they are, please listen to them because that will bring a change in future. Don't jeopardise that."
"My heart goes out to all the women including Tanushree. A the end of the day, all they are asking for is an apology, they are not asking for his neck on the line or blood, look at what's happen. So I think it is fair," she concluded.
For those uninitiated, Chetan Bhagat and Preity were co-judges for the dance reality show Nach Baliye. Chetan was accused of sexual harassment by a female journalist on the social media.
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