All hell has broken loose among India’s liberal and ‘feminist’ circles, as the mantle carrier of non-conformist Indian cinema, Anurag Kashyap faces grave accusations of sexual misconduct and assault from actor Payal Ghosh. For a people who did not think twice before hounding men accused under the umbrella of the momentary #MeToo campaign, it is quite ironic to dismiss the accusations made against Anurag Kashyap and instead indulge in victim-shaming, as though Payal Ghosh is to be blamed for the depraved and allegedly sadist director’ trespasses.
@anuragkashyap72 has forced himself on me and extremely badly. @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Pls help! https://t.co/1q6BYsZpyx
— Payal Ghosh (@iampayalghosh) September 19, 2020
The entire ecosystem, which likes to think of itself as one which is resisting ‘fascist’ forces currently ruling the country, has conveniently mounted an aggressive campaign in brazen and shameful support of a man accused of gross sexual misconduct against a woman. Not only did he try to allegedly harass Payal Ghosh, but also spoke in a pathetic tone of other female stars, like Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadha and Mahi Gill.
Taapsee Pannu, who took to hounding citizens on Twitter at the peak of #MeToo, was seen rather hilariously, and in a befitting way no less, defending Anurag Kashyap, addressing him as a ‘friend’ and the ‘biggest feminist’. Sharing a photo with Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee wrote, “For you, my friend, are the biggest feminist I know. See you on the sets soon of yet another piece of art that shows how powerful and significant women are in the world you create.”
Taapsee Pannu’s befitting defence of a director accused of sexual assault was not just that. It was a validation of the apprehensions among scores of Indians, of how Bollywood has in it a cabal of self-serving maniacs who would go to any extent in order to protect their own interests and ilk. Pannu was not alone to come out in wholehearted support of Anurag Kashyap.
Alleged journalist Swati Chaturvedi said, “I knew Anurag Kashyap would be attacked but, the attack would be so despicable leaves me slightly surprised.” Further, attributing political connotations to the grave accusations, she said “Modi is very very angry,” as though the Prime Minister of India has no other job but to get back at a man of Anurag Kashyap’s stature no less.
I knew @anuragkashyap72 would be attacked but, the attack would be so despicable leaves me slightly surprised. Modi is angry v angry
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) September 20, 2020
Questionable filmmaker, and again, an alleged journalist by the name Vinod Kapri took to victim-shaming Payal Ghosh. “I have one question. Why is she making the accusations after so many years? She does not even remember the year in which the incident took place?” he asked and stated.
पायल घोष की शिकायत पर @anuragkashyap72 पर
जाँच हो
FiR हो
जेल भेज दो
सूली पर लटका दोमेरा एक ही सवाल है कि
इतने साल बाद जब ये शिकायत कर रही हैं
तो इन्हें घटना का साल भी याद नहीं
2014 या 2015 ? https://t.co/YjMoSWCPrI pic.twitter.com/T3E4XVHBgm— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) September 19, 2020
Other specimens who came out in support of Anurag Kashyap and their tweets relating to the same can be seen below:
ज़बरदस्त इत्तेफाक है कि @anuragkashyap72 भाजपा प्रचारक @KanganaTeam को आइना दिखाते हैं और दो ही दिन में एक अनजान ' अभिनेत्री ' आ कर उन पर इल्ज़ाम लगा देती है ।
यही नहीं , यह अभिनेत्री @narendramodi व भाजपा नेता @SirPareshRawal की बड़ी फैन भी है।
इत्तेफाक ही इत्तेफाक है ! https://t.co/bzkZC5nI9x— Pankhuri Pathak पंखुड़ी पाठक پنکھڑی (@pankhuripathak) September 19, 2020
In Modi's India, u can either choose to be @KanganaTeam or @anuragkashyap72
Choose to be Kangana, u get Y-security, media PR & money
Choose to be Anurag, u get cases, harassment & threats
But raising your voice against injustice is infinitely better than being Modi's poodle.
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) September 20, 2020
For it comes from the courage he’s given to many to speak one’s mind fearlessly, to work tirelessly—with or without resources.
For he lives in many of us through the confidence he’s given us to simply be ourselves.
One can try to bring him down as a man.
But not as an idea.
— Hussain Haidry (@hussainhaidry) September 20, 2020
Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap, while giving himself a clean-chit and terming the allegations as ‘baseless’, has taken to suggest that the accusations being hurled against him are a consequence of him speaking against the country’s ruling dispensation. That the man is giving himself such undue importance is hilarious, but it is pertinent to note here too, that on accusations of him being called out for sexual misconduct too, the questionable filmmaker is suggesting a political angle which according to his genius is at play. Not quite a good defence to come up with for somebody pretending to be innocent, while having an entire ecosystem go gaga in his support.
