MUMBAI: As the #MeToo movement spreads Bollywood, actor Akshay Kumar on Friday cancelled the shoot of Housefull 4 saying that he won’t work with sexual offenders until investigation in the case is over. Three women on Thursday evening have acccused the film’s director Sajid Khan of misbehaviour.
Actor Nana Patekar, who was accused of sexual harassment by actor Tanushree Dutta, was said to be one of the actors.
“I’ve just landed back in the country last night and reading all the news has been very disturbing. I’ve requested the producers of Housefull 4 to cancel the shoot until further investigation. This is something that requires stringent action. I will not work with any proven offenders and all those who have been subjugated to harassment should be heard and given the justice they deserve,” Akshay tweeted.
"I've just landed back in the country last night and reading all the news has been very disturbing.
I've requested the producers of Housefull 4 to cancel the shoot until further investigation," he wrote.
Post this tweet, Sajid Khan announced on Twitter that he is stepping down as the director of the film. “In the wake of allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producers and stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post, till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth. I request my friends in media to kindly not pass judgments till the truth is out,” Khan said in his tweet.
Model and actor Saloni Chopra, journalist Karishma Upadhyay and actor Rachel White has accused Khan of misconduct. Meanwhile, director Subhash Ghai, who has also been accused of rape, has denied the charges and said a defamation case will be filed against the woman. “Destiny shows you good times (and) bad times. I’m deeply pained to be gripped in this movement but thank those who know me and the respect I shower to women and their dignity in spite of our cosmetic world we live and react more through our love, affection and respect Now, seen in different perspectives,” he said in his tweet.