The #MeToo movement that started in Hollywood last year gained widespread attention with some very big and powerful people being named as sexual harassers and offenders. Now, it has taken the form of a tsunami in India too after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment. Following her lead, many women started recounting their ordeals and naming their perpetrators. Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl, Sajid Khan, Zain Khan Durrani, Subhash Ghai have all been named, shamed and blamed.
Many Bollywood celebrities are finally speaking up and lending their support and solidarity to the women and to the movement. During a media interaction when asked about Sajid, Malaika Arora said, “Yes it is very sad when you hear all of it. It is very heartbreaking but I guess if a woman has come forward and spoken about something then I guess there is something to it that you cannot not listen to it and you cannot not take it seriously. Like I said I am all for women who want to speak up, who want to share their stories. And if there is any truth to it and if anybody is at fault then I am a kind of person who would say they need to be punished for it. It is really sad what has happened with somebody that I know. If the person is guilty then right kind of action needs to be taken."
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Malaika Arora[/caption]
Malaika also said that it is the patriarchal mindset of society that needs to be changed. Speaking about #MeToo she said, “I have been pretty vocal about it. My thoughts have been very vocal. I am glad as something like this has taken the momentum. A year back it was all over in the west. I am really glad as women are speaking up."
Talking about changing the mindset she said, “I have a son and it is necessary to make them understand early on that they need to respect women and they can't take them for granted. You cannot take women as play objects. Unfortunately, that is the mindset. There is a sense of entitlement. You think you have power over women and you can suppress her. This mindset has to change when they are kids when they are children. Hopefully, this will change."
Malaika had featured in Sajid’s Heyy Baby, Housefull and Housefull 2.
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