It is surprising how the hypocrites of the Bollywood have continually kept themselves under the delusion that their dubious acts will easily pass off unnoticed. The entire left cabal of the Bollywood and standup comedy is in shambles at this moment, all thanks to the #metoo movement which has started in the country. The likes of Swara Bhasker, Sonam Kapoor and others who had been out rightly vocal in the past regarding crimes against women have suddenly decided to reserve their judgments this time. The interesting part is that their silence has not gone unnoticed. Kangana Ranaut is one bollywood actress who has supported the victim who claimed that Queen director Vikas Bahl had mistreated and harassed her at the workplace. A former female employee from Phantom Films, which is a production house started by Vikas Bahl, Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena had alleged that Vikas Bahl had indulged in appropriate behavior with her during the shoot of Bombay Velvet. The inappropriate behavior of Bahl had not stopped for a prolonged period of time forcing the employee to quit.
Prior to her exit from Phantom Films, the victim had approached the co-founder, Anurag Kashyap, hoping that it would make a difference. Anurag Kashyap too had failed her as he did absolutely nothing to confront Vikas Bahl. Kangana Ranaut had not only backed the former employee who was the victim but had even went on to allege that the director had even indulged in inappropriate behavior with her on the sets of Queen. This was Kangana’s #metoo moment, where the outspoken actress went ahead with her convictions and broke out the news which almost confirms the allegations put on Vikas Bahl. A shocking reaction for Kangana’s statement came from none other than self-proclaimed liberal and feminist Sonam Kapoor. Sonam Kapoor gave an almost sarcastic and reply when she was asked for a reaction on Kangana’s statement. Sonam Kapoor said, “Kangana being Kangana Ranaut, she says a lot of stuff. Sometimes, it’s hard to take her seriously, but I love the fact that she has spunk and she says what she believes in.” This statement if observed closely reeks of privilege and is a base attempt at belittling the allegation put forth by a member of her film fraternity.
Kangana Ranaut was rightly disgusted by the reaction from Sonam Kapoor, any self respecting person would definitely feel disturbed if a genuine assault on him/her was treated with absolute distaste and ended up challenging his or her statements and character. Kangana said, “What does she mean by saying, “its hard to believe Kangana” When I am sharing my me too story, who gives her a right to judge me?” and further went on to blast her, adding, “I am known to be an articulate person, I have represented my country in many international summits, I am called as a thought and youth influencer to these summits, I am not known because of my dad I have earned my place and credibility after struggling for a decade.”
It is important to understand here that many celebrities from Bollywood who were quite vocally supporting Tanushree Dutta against Nana Patekar have remained silent on this issue even after Anurag Kashyap has himself agreed to prior knowledge of the incident.
Sonam Kapoor did an even more disgusting thing by challenging the authenticity of the victim’s claim, the others were just giving a tacit approval while Sonam’s statement raises questions on the victim itself. Kangana has given countless proofs of her work style and attitude in the 10+ years of her career, Bahl on one hand had won countless accolades for a short film with the theme of women safety, Going Home, in which Alia Bhatt played the lead, on the other hand he himself made women uncomfortable on the sets with his inappropriate behavior. His behavior is symbolic of any criminal who wants to maintain a clean image in the society while he continues harassing his victims. Sonam Kapoor has once again proved that she is a hypocrite of the finest order who questions or stands with a victim based on his/her political and ideological affiliations.