Producer of Amitabh Bachchan starrer Jhund, defends Nagraj Manjule over #MeToo claims by ex-wife

By Vandana Srivastawa

on October 29, 2018

Nagraj Manjule, the director of the acclaimed Marathi film Sairat’s next ambitious project is Jhund starring none other than Amitabh Bachchan in the lead. The film is a real life story based on Vijay Barse, a retired school teacher in Nagpur who teaches the slum kids the game of football. Amitabh plays the role of Barse in the film. The film was supposed to go on floors soon and was slated for a 2019 release. However, in the wake of the #MeToo allegations, the case against Manjule by his ex-wife has come once again come in the limelight. However, the producer of the film stands by Manjule and said that his case does not qualify as #MeToo.

Manjule’s ex-wife Sunita had shared her story with a news portal when Sairat released. She had alleged that he physically abused her and forced her to go through abortions. Sunita revealed to the portal that she works as a house help now and she never received any alimony or financial support from the director.

[caption id="attachment_140040" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Amitabh Bachchan and Nagraj Manjule[/caption]

Jhund’s producer Savitaraj Hiremath issued a statement since many believed that the film is in jeopardy because of the allegations and might get shelved. He said, “Nagraj ji’s divorce case with his wife is personal and has, in fact, even been settled. The case stands closed as of today. However, certain sections of the media have included Nagraj ji in the “#MeToo” category and are trying to show him in poor Light. But this not true.We, at the JHUND team, are aware of the matter and are clear on the stand that first of all there seems to be no case, leave alone one that fits in the # MeToo category. Further, we have internally checked the facts from the director and others and have found no basis for such allegations.”

The #MeToo movement in India started when Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing and intimidating her on the sets of a 2008 film. Finding courage from her many women came to the forefront to name their harassers which brought shame to many biggies in the industry and forced people in authority to take stringent measures against the perpetrators.