Nandita Das addresses sexual harassment claims against father Jatin Das

Filmmaker/actor Nandita Das has released a statement to "reiterate" her support for the #MeToo movement after two women came forward with sexual harassment claims against her father, acclaimed Indian painter Jatin Das.

The Manto director took to Facebook to say that she will "continue to add my voice" to the #MeToo movement, "despite the disturbing allegations made against my father, which he has categorically denied."

While emphasising that "this is the time we all need to listen, so that women (and men) feel safe to speak up", she also expresses doubts about the veracity of the allegations against her father, saying that "it is also important to be sure about allegations so as not to dilute the movement."

Environmentalist Nisha Bora has claimed that Jatin Das forcibly kissed her when she met him for work at his studio in 2004, while journalist Anushree Majumdar said that he made her feel uncomfortable and harassed her with phone calls after demanding that she work for him.

Jatin Das has denied the allegations, slamming them as "vulgar": "I am shocked. All kinds of things are happening these days... Some people do things and some people make allegations. I don't know her, I have never met her, and even if I did meet somebody somewhere one doesn't behave like this... It is vulgar," he said to Indian press yesterday. "There is a game going on, some people are real, have done some things while some people are making allegations for the fun of it," he added.