In March, there was news that this actress has signed with this filmmaker for his next film. It was a strong leading role and the actress thought that her fans will be happy that she has taken up such a film. What she didn’t see coming was the backlash she would receive on social media!
Yes, you see the director of this film was accused of sexual harassment. Something that everyone knew did happen and yet he was cleared of all charges. So this actress thought since that was the case, she can work with him without any issues.
Luckily, there’s social media that doesn’t waste time to put things in motion and in this case, they blasted this actress for signing up to do this creep’s film. The actress quickly backtracked and said no such thing was happening. That was then, 2 months ago.
Now, according to this blind item, it seems the actress wants to sign this film. We don’t know for sure whether this is a recent decision or something that was made months ago.
It must be hard for her to pass up on this offer since her role is quite good in this film and the focus will be all on her. She must be tired playing flower pot roles even at this stage of her career but even that, she is getting these roles based on her friendship with these lead actors. So for her, this film would have meant securing something on her own.
Sadly, it will be hard for her to go on and take up this offer like nothing else matters. Because no, it does matter and being a famous actress herself, she is at an important place where she can put her foot down.
If you think about it, most actresses won’t think what this director did is a big deal. They could have gone through something similar or even worst but they can’t be open about it. Take this actress, for instance. She herself has faced abused, many times it was in public and yet, she never came out and called out her abuser.
She definitely knows what it’s like, but like other actress she will never speak about it. Let’s see what she does, if she goes ahead with this project or take a step back.
Check out the blind item from PinkVilla.
Bollywood Blind Item
This gorgeous actress is struggling to find work; signs a film with a #MeToo accused director
Let’s admit it: Me Too in India was a huge disaster. While several women voiced their stories of sexual abuse and harassment bravely, not much really came about it. The accused were roaming around scot free and some of them even got clean chits. One of those accused who was also possibly one of the first few names to have come out in public, is already back to work and has started on his next directorial venture. Despite being in news for humiliating one of his assistants, the filmmaker was given due credit in his last project, which starred a superstar.
Now, when he was putting his next movie in place, he found it extremely difficult to find actors for it. In fact, not many actually came forward and were okay with the idea of doing a film with him. Except this one heroine, who despite being an A-list actress is struggling to find work.
The lady we’re talking about was never considered a powerful performer until she delivered with a few films in recent times. While many thought that her luck would change, she stopped getting good work. Many filmmakers also don’t want to cast her because they feel there are better choices from the younger generation who can easily replace her.
So when the Me Too accused filmmaker approached her to play the lead in his next – a slice of life drama about a father and daughter – she gave a verbal nod to the film, so much so in desperation. The filmmaker has previously given a huge sleeper hit in the same genre with another top actress and our A-lister feels he will be able to spread the same magic with her as well.
But as of now, modalities haven’t been locked. But many who are close to the actress have warned her of the repercussions of signing a film with the director, given the controversies he’s mired in. But she hasn’t paid any heed to such comments and has decided to do the film… for now, at least!
We don’t know if it will eventually happen, given the economic scenario in the film industry. After all, we aren’t sure if producers would be keen on spending so much money on a film that primarily revolves around the heroine. Ouch!
OSOP Guesses
Actress: Katrina Kaif
Filmmaker: Vikas Bahl
Sources say Katrina had indeed been finalised for Bahl’s film. But she had not anticipated a backlash.
Vikas, it may be recalled, had been accused of sexual misconduct two years ago by an employee of Phantom Films of which Bahl was one of the helmers. Bahl had been cleared of the charge by the internal complaints committee of the production house Reliance Entertainment (Phantom Films was affiliated to Reliance) in 2019.
Katrina, sources say, was told that Bahl’s name had been cleared of the charges. She, therefore, agreed to be in his next film.
But when faced with a backlash on social media, she quickly withdrew herself from the film, leaving Vikas’ project with a big question mark. Will any A-list heroine agree to work with him?
