Pratik Shah, Bollywood cinematographer, accused of sexual misconduct; Dharma Productions issues statement

Bollywood cinematographer Pratik Shah, known for his work on Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, according to Times Of India.

The accusations surfaced online last week, with several anonymous women sharing detailed accounts of inappropriate behaviour across platforms including Reddit and X (formerly Twitter).

In response, Dharma Productions—led by filmmaker Karan Johar and one of the producers of Homebound—released an official statement on Saturday, May 31, distancing itself from Shah and reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy.

“Mr. Pratik Shah was a freelancer on the project Homebound and was working on it for a limited period. His engagement with us has been completed,” the statement read.

“At Dharma Productions, we have a zero tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment towards any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously. During this limited period, our internal committee for POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) didn’t receive any complaints against him from any cast or crew on our film Homebound.”

Soon after the allegations emerged, Shah deleted his Instagram account, making his profile and previous posts inaccessible. As of now, he has not issued a public response.

Filmmaker and screenwriter Srishti Riya Jain amplified the claims by sharing them via a Reddit post, calling out the industry’s pattern of selective outrage.

“To everyone pretending to act shocked, scandalised, and suddenly awakened… THIS man worked on one of the ‘most empathetic’ films of the year — or so the interviews at Cannes claimed,” Jain wrote in a Reddit post.

Jain also revealed that several women privately reached out to her, describing Shah as a “predator.”

Her post included messages from users alleging disturbing DMs and unwanted advances.

Entertainment outlet The Hollywood Reporter India reported that this is not the first time Shah has been accused of misconduct. According to THR India, similar claims were made against him nearly four years ago, leading to a reported dismissal after a formal warning was issued.

Shah, who has previously worked on critically acclaimed projects like Jubilee and CTRL, has remained silent despite growing public pressure.

Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta also called for investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against cinematographer Pratik Shah
The filmmaker says abuse must not be ignored or excused in the name of art

As calls for boycott intensified against Pratik, filmmaker Hansal Mehta has weighed in on the recent allegations of sexual misconduct, calling for a thorough investigation and urging that survivors be heard.

In a strongly worded post on social media, Mehta wrote, “Serious allegations of predatory behaviour have emerged against cinematographer Pratik Shah. These must be investigated. Victims must be heard. Because if they aren’t, like so many before, this too will fade – and once again, predatory behaviour will be forgiven in the name of art.”

Expressing his frustration with what he described as widespread hypocrisy in the industry, Mehta added, “Predators will flourish, as they always have. Abusers will be celebrated for their ‘art’. And the survivors? They'll be left to carry their trauma alone, trying to make sense of their shattered careers and stolen safety.”

The filmmaker’s comments reflect a growing demand within the industry for accountability and a safe working environment, as conversations around abuse and power imbalances continue to unfold.

The Homebound controversy once again places the Indian film industry under scrutiny for how it handles allegations of misconduct, particularly involving freelance talent. As more voices emerge, the call for transparency and accountability within production houses continues to intensify.