I am fearless today because I let it out: Vinta Nanda on Alok Nath's harassment

By Vandana Srivastawa

on October 09, 2018

In the recent storm of the #MeToo movement that has ignited in the Indian film industry following Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment allegations against Nana Patekar and others, many people have come forward to name their perpetrators. In the midst, popular 90's show producer Vinta Nanda opened up in a Facebook post narrating horrific details of rape and harassment that she suffered in the 90s at the hands of a popular actor.

Although she did not name the actor in her Facebook post that went viral like wildfire but her hints at the most “Sanskaari TV actor” made people connect the dots and realized that she is speaking about Alok Nath. Now, in a press conference held today, Vinta shared details about the incident saying that she waited 19 years for this moment to come.

[caption id="attachment_147934" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Vinta Nanda at Press Conference[/caption]

She said, “He is obviously disempowered or he's not powerful. You need guts to come out and say yes this happened and I am sorry for it. He's not given denials even in 2003, 04 and 2005 when I talked about it or wrote about it in the media. Published it so he's not in any position to deny it today but the fact that he's doing it I would imagine that he's afraid and he's the one to deal with his fear. I am fearless today because I let it out. For the first time in 20 years, I am being fearless like I used to feel at the time before this happened."

[caption id="attachment_147686" align="aligncenter" width="835"] Alok Nath[/caption]

When Vinta was asked that why she didn’t raise the alarm when the incident first took place she said, “Not a single person asked him about what he has done and this matter was brushed under the carpet. I knew I had to compartmentalize my life and then move on." Talking about her Facebook post that went viral within an hour, she said, “When I put that post on Facebook, I had no idea that it will get such a massive reaction. The intention was to put it out of my chest and get it out there. But the reaction I have received, it is very motivating and encouraging."

[caption id="attachment_147936" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Vinta Nanda at Press Conference[/caption]

She further added, "Without that support, I wouldn't have had the courage to talk about this. My intention to write the post was to let the women know that silence is more dangerous than the act itself and if you don't share your sufferings then it will keep up building inside you so go out there, accuse them and make sure that they get punished for what they have done because this life is precious."

[caption id="attachment_147935" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Vinta Nanda at Press Conference[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147937" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Vinta Nanda at Press Conference[/caption]

Alok, on the other hand, has switched off his phone and beefed up security at his house. He has neither accepted nor denied the allegations while he spoke to PeepingMoon.com. However, after the serious accusations of rape surfaced, CINTAA has decided to send a show cause notice to the actor. Vinta worked with Alok in the 90s popular serial Tara that featured Navneet Nishan in the lead. The show was a pathbreaker in many ways as it showed the trials and tribulations of an urban woman and was the first drama series to run for 5 years.