In a rather sensational revelation, former Bigg Boss contestant and video jockey Pooja Misra has accused one of the most well-known actors from Bollywood and host of Bigg Boss, Salman Khan of sexually assaulting her along with his brothers. Salman and his brothers have also been accused of almost driving Pooja Misra to the point where she could only think of committing suicide. In a series of videos posted on her Instagram handle, Pooja Misra has accused actor Salman Khan and his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions. The video jockey has also dragged the names of other well known members of the Bollywood industry for ruining her career and mental health.
Pooja went on to accuse Arbaaz’s ex-wife, and actress, Malaika Arora, of snatching her movie projects and commercials, courtesy her jealousy towards Pooja’s alleged ‘prosperity.’ However, the gravity of allegations became even more severe when she went on to allege senior actor turned politician, Shatrughan Sinha and his family, of harassing her not only sexually but mentally as well. She even alleged that Shatrughan Sinha and his family used black magic on her so that Malaika and Sonakshi Sinha’s careers could prosper at her expense.
For those who are unaware, Pooja Misra is an ex video jockey who became famous because of her antics in Bigg Boss house in the 5th Season, where she was a contestant. The VJ had attempt to imitate the tantrums of another contestant from the 4th season of Bigg Boss, Dolly Bindra. Pooja’s antics however backfired and she was eventually thrown out of the Bigg Boss house after 8 weeks. Since there is no proper proof or credible evidence for the allegations levied on Salman Khan and others, it might be that Pooja Misra’s accusations are just baseless allegations and nothing more.
However, the only good which has come out from Pooja Misra’s unscrupulous allegations, is that it has been able to bring Salman Khan to the center stage of sexual harassment and #MeToo debate. This is not the first time that such charges have been leveled against the popular actor, for none can forget his tumultuous relationship with popular actress and Miss World, 1994, Aishwarya Rai, which blossomed on the sets of ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, but ended bitterly by 2002.
Post her eviction from the movie ‘Chalte Chalte’, in many interviews, Aishwarya Rai had laid threadbare as to what transpired between her and Salman Khan which led to their break up. In these interviews, Aishwarya revealed that Salman Khan was extremely possessive, and used to beat her brutally for extremely absurd reasons. He accused her of having affairs with all of her co-stars, barring none. Aishwarya was accused by Salman Khan, of having an affair with Shahrukh who starred alongside her in films like ‘Devdas’. At first, Aishwarya didn’t protest and tried to pacify him, even consoling him at many instances despite being abused. However, matters came to a head, post her unceremonious exit from the movie ‘Chalte Chalte’, Aishwarya finally had enough, and she ended her relationship with Salman Khan.
However, her sufferings did not end even then. She was harassed, stalked and constantly abused by Salman Khan even after she had left him. Curiously, even as the allegations against other celebrities for incidents which happened years ago keep on cropping up, the liberal brigade has mysteriously refrained from talking about the almost public debacles of Salman Khan. Double standards much?
With such accusation turning up without break, the #MeToo campaign has taken an interesting turn altogether. Irrespective of the amount of power they wield, the celebrities accused of unholy acts committed in the past will find it difficult to clear their names this time. From director Sajid Khan to actor Salman Khan and everyone in between, they all will have to answer and repent for their evil deeds if any, all thanks to the power of social media.