Former Indian censor board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says people like Harvey Weinstein exist in Bollywood too, and need to be exposed.
Hollywood producer Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassing more than 40 women, including several top actresses including Gwyneth Paltrow, Cara Delevingne, Lupita Nyong’o and Angelina Jolie.
In a recent interview, actress Priyanka Chopra spoke up about people like Weinstein being everywhere, including Bollywood.
Nihalani said: “Priyanka is right. There are Harvey Weinsteins in Bollywood too. They continue to exploit hapless strugglers because they are not held liable for their dirty deeds. This is the time to expose them.
“I am not talking about actresses who do what they do to establish a foothold in the industry. I am talking about aspiring actors and actresses being forced to offer sexual favours in exchange for job opportunities. Bollywood has a very clear list of offenders who misuse their position.”
His new film Julie 2, which he is presenting and distributing, is about the Bollywood casting couch.
Appalled that actresses have not come forward to name these offenders, Nihalani allegedly intends to name a few at a press conference.
“We are in the process of getting together voices of the victims to speak up publicly. The time to nail the Harvey Weinsteins of Bollywood is now,” he added.
