Anurag Kashyap accused of sexual harassment

A household name in India and Filmfare award winner, Anurag Kashyap has been accused of sexual harassment.

Alleged in an interview and subsequently shared via social media, Payal Ghosh spoke about the director’s unwanted advances during the shooting of Bombay Velvet, reported Hindustan Times.

"Anurag Kashyap has forced himself on me and extremely badly," the Telegu actor posted.

Tagging the Prime Minister, she also urged him to "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!"

Denying the accusations, the Gangs of Wasseypur filmmaker called any such claims baseless.

“I have never indulged in such behaviour nor do I tolerate such acts," he said, adding that he had respected all women, be it in his private or public interactions.

Following, an official statement from his legal team was also released on his behalf claiming that Kashyap was "deeply pained" by the false allegations of sexual misconduct put forth against him.

"These allegations are completely false, malicious and dishonest."

"It is sad that a social movement as important as the #metoo movement has been co-opted by vested interests and reduced to a mere tool for character assassination. Fictitious allegations of this nature seriously undermine the movement and seek to unconscionably trade upon the pain and trauma of actual victims of sexual harassment and abuse," it read.

"My client has been advised about his rights and remedies in law and intends to pursue them to the fullest extent."

Receiving support from the industry, many actors rallied in favour of Anurag; popular names include Tapsee Pannu, Gulshan Devaiah, Sayani Gupta, Mahie Gill and Radhika Apte.

Ex-wife Kalki Koechlin too, took to release a statement of her own, hailing him a champion of women, both on screen and in real life.

Shook by the lack of support, Ghosh took to Twitter, disappointed that people would believe she was misusing the movement for her own gain.

"People blame women for everything, and post smash the patriarchy. It's time to stand with the women. Let them be heard. A voice suppressed is a generation of women oppressed. It's 2020. Come on, India!" she posted.