- By Ridhi Suri
- Fri, 06 Sep 2024 08:40 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shilpa Shinde, renowned for her role as Angoori Bhabi in the hit TV show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai and winner of Bigg Boss Season 11, has recently alleged sexual assault by a Bollywood filmmaker from the early days of her career. This accusation comes in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee Report, which has prompted numerous actors to disclose disturbing accounts of sexual harassment and assault across the Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu film industries. Shinde's claims add to the growing list of revelations shaking the entertainment sector.
The actress, who is currently seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 14, revealed that she was once coerced into seducing a filmmaker under the pretense of an audition. Describing herself as 'very innocent' at the time, she consented to perform the scene. However, the situation soon took an uncomfortable turn, and Shinde realised the producer was overstepping his limits. She managed to push him away and fled from the scene.
Shilpa told News 18, "It was during my struggling days, around 1998-99. I cannot take names, but they told me, 'Aap yeh kapde pehno aur yeh scene karo' (wear these clothes and do this scene). I didn’t wear those clothes. In the scene, he told me he was my boss, and I had to seduce him. I was very innocent then, so I did the scene. That person tried to force himself on me, and I got so scared. I pushed him away and ran out. The security staff realised what had happened and asked me to leave immediately. They thought I would make a scene and call for help."
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Without naming the person, the actress stated, "He was from the Hindi film industry. I agreed to do the scene because he was also an actor." Adding, "I’m not lying, but I cannot take his name. His children are probably a little younger than me, and if I name him, they will suffer too."
Shilpa also described a subsequent encounter with the same producer years later. During this meeting, he spoke to her kindly, did not recognise her, and even offered her a film role, which Shilpa declined.
"These things happen to everyone. Some have run away like I did. We, as actors, have talked about it, and others have told me they’ve faced similar situations, even with well-known figures. When people talk about sexual harassment, I strongly believe that yes, you may have been approached, but you also have the choice to say no. You can choose not to be part of it. This happens to everyone," she added.
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Meanwhile, Shilpa Shinde has also appeared in other TV serials, including Chidiya Ghar. In addition to her television career, Shinde has acted in a few Bollywood films and has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
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