• By Swati Singh
  • Sat, 31 May 2025 09:33 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has urged for strict investigation against Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah who has been accused of serious misconduct and abusive behaviour. Mehta stressed the importance of accountability, stating that survivors should not endure their trauma in silence.

Hansal Mehta wrote on X, “Abuse thrives in silence. It festers in fear.Predatory behaviour by men in positions of power must be investigated thoroughly, and if found true, must be called out — unequivocally, and without delay. For too long, predators have weaponised influence, privilege, and fear to silence survivors.”

“That silence must be broken. But let’s be clear — abuse of power is not confined to one gender. Women in positions of authority, too, have inflicted harm. Abuse has many forms. It is not always sexual. Mental, emotional and psychological abuse can be just as scarring. Just as violating. Workspaces — especially creative ones — often cloak toxicity in the name of ‘passion’ or ‘genius.’ That must stop,” he noted.

He went on to state, “No art, no film, no script is worth the cost of someone’s safety or sanity.Victims need voice. They need redress. They need a system that listens — and acts. Accountability is not cancel culture. It is culture correction.We owe it to ourselves, and to those who come after us, to make our spaces safer. Cleaner. Kinder. Call out the predators. Call out the habitual abuser. Hold them accountable. Let no power be above decency.”

What is the Pratik Shah controversy?

Filmmaker Abhinav Singh took to Instagram and accused Pratik Shah of abuse. Calling him “highly manipulative’, Singh wrote on Instagram, “To my female friends: Please be cautious around a certain cinematographer I've encountered-he's highly manipulative and emotionally abusive based on my personal experience. If you want details, feel free to DM me.”

He continued, “The number of women who’ve reached out to me is honestly frightening. I feel like I’m having a Margot Robbie moment from Bombshell. I will not be silenced. And to those who are still employing him – f**k you. His name is Pratik Shah. He’s a cinematographer.”

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Dharma Productions later issued a statement about the ongoing controversy. As quoted by TOI, the production house said, “At Dharma Productions, we have a zero tolerance policy against inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment towards any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously.”