Indians livid after #MeToo accused Sajid Khan enters Bigg Boss 16

The latest installment of Bigg Boss is already under fire after disgraced Bollywood director, Sajid Khan, was announced as a participant. The 16th season of the reality television show has sparked controversy after Khan, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women, has been called out for using the show as a platform to cleanse his otherwise tarnished image. 

Now, social media users have expressed disappointment since Khan’s admission to the Bigg Boss house. “I knew Sajid Khan is accused of sexual harassment of 9 women but today got to know the details shared by women. It’s a shame for someone is supporting him in any way,” a user commented while sharing a thread of accusations. 

Another prominent journalist added, “In case we’ve forgotten, Sajid Khan took his d*ck out in front of women regularly, actors journalists he didn’t care. just a reminder before we start watching that damn show ‘just for entertainment yaar’. expect better demand better. He’s been brought on not because he’s some talented filmmaker but ONLY because of this response his presence will generate among women and make news stories. it’s sick and disgusting do not accept.”

One shared, “Whipped out his penis at parties. Asked female actors to send nudes as part of casting. Talked in a sexually degrading manner to women. Watched porn in front of his female staff. Just a few things this filmmaker turned reality contestant has been accused of.”

Singer Sona Mohapatra lamented and called out the channel for harbouring an accused harasser. Taking to Twitter late Sunday night, Mohapatra replied to a news anchor’s post about the various sexual assault allegations made against Khan in the last few years. 

The singer wrote, “This is Sajid Khan, now on a reality TV show. Then there is Anu Malik judging a music reality show on TV, for children no less. Kailash Kher? Celebrity Judge on TV. ALL called out by many many women in India #MeToo. Indian TV channels, executives are indeed a depraved and sad lot.”

Shehnaaz Gill lends support to Sajid Khan

However, Bigg Boss sweetheart Shehnaaz Gill welcomed Khan into the house, lauding him for the ‘bravery’ he displayed by entering the show. Gill sent a video message to him saying that he should have a lot of fun and not fight. Sajid said Shehnaaz is like a younger sister to him. 

One shared, “I can’t emphasise enough how much damage Shehnaaz GiIl has done to her reputation and brand by supporting terrible human being SajidKhan, (will get considerably worse in the lead-up to their film’s release)”

Another added, “She is not a child. She’s a full-grown adult who is fully accountable for the decisions she makes. We are not living in the 1900s where this “oblivious clueless bechari” act works. We live in the age of the internet. Google is free. No excuses for her promoting Sajid Khan.”

Backstory

The #MeToo movement has been in full swing since Rose McGowen accused the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulting her. The accusation propelled the downfall of Hollywood’s biggest producer. Since then, the movement reached Bollywood and the Pakistani film industry as well. 

In 2018, the Indian film industry was completely shaken by several #MeToo allegations. Some of the biggest names were dragged into this scandal and horrifying stories were made public. Khan was then accused of sexual misconduct. The director has remained silent about the accusations. 

Khan was later suspended by the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association for one year following complaints of sexual harassment against him, reported Hindustan Times. The filmmaker was accused by three women which included assistant director Saloni Chopra, journalist Karishma Upadhyay and actor Rachel White. The three shared their traumatic experiences on their respective social media handles.

Later, in 2020, model Paula recounted what she went through when she was 17 and accused Khan of sexual harassment. Khan was accused of three women in 2018.

The model took to her Instagram profile and penned down a note. She explained why she was silent last year when everyone was ready to speak about the harassment they faced. She said, “When #MeToo movement started, a lot of people spoke about Sajid Khan but I did not dare to because like every other actor who has no godfather and had to earn for a family I kept quiet. Now I don’t have my parents with me. I’m earning for myself. I can dare to tell that I have been harassed by Sajid Khan at the age of 17.”

She further said that when she was called in by the director for the audition, he misbehaved with her. She stated, “He spoke dirty to me. He tried to touch me. He even told me to strip in front of him just to get a role in his upcoming Housefull movie.”

Concluding her post, Paula added, “God knows with how many girls he has done this. I am coming out now not for any pity party. It’s just that I realised that had affected me so badly when I was a child and chose not to speak. But it’s high time no? These Bastards should be behind bars not only for casting couch but also for manipulating and stealing away your dreams. But I did not stop!! But the wrong I did was not to speak about it!”