Many veteran actors have been named in the ongoing #MeToo movement, and today one more popular name from the fraternity is being roped in the crusade. Veteran media person Vinod Dua, father of well-known stand-up comedian Mallika Dua has been accused of sexual misconduct.
On Saturday, filmmaker Nishtha Jain took to Facebook and wrote her story. She has accused Vinod Dua of sexually harassing her almost three decades ago.
Also Read: 'Kaabil' Actor Rohit Roy Accused Of Harassment By A Journalist, Actor Denies Reports
“It was June 1989. I still remember the day because it was my birthday. There was extended family at home and mom was preparing for a little celebration in the evening. I was a recent graduate from Jamia Mass Communication Centre. I put on my favourite saree and left home with a fair amount of confidence for a job interview with a famous TV personality who had had a very popular show called Janvani. He was starting a new gig. It was supposed to be a political satire and I was interested. I was greeted with his typical sardonic smile. Before I could settle down he began telling a lewd sexual joke in that soft voice, barely opening his mouth. I don't remember the joke but it wasn't worth a laugh, just dirty. I felt hot in my face and I sat there most probably with an angry look. He explained the job and asked me what my expectations were and I quoted an amount that most graduates were getting at the time - 5,000 rupees. He looked at me and said, 'Tumhari aukat kya hai?' I dont know what had hit me. I was stunned. What was this about? I had faced sexual harassment early in life but this sort of humiliation was a new experience. By the time I reached home I was in tears. My birthday was ruined. I did tell my brother and friends about it. Soon after, I got a job as a video editor in Newstrack. I don't know how this man learnt about it. He had friends in my office who would inform him when I would be working late. One night as I came down to the parking, he was there. He said, he wanted to talk to me and asked me to enter his car - a black SUV/Jeep, I don't remember the make as I'm not into automobiles. Assuming that he wanted to apologise for his behaviour, I entered the car but before I could even settle down he began slobbering all over my face. I managed to get out and get into my office car and leave. I spotted him again in the parking in the coming nights and would go right back and wait till someone was ready to leave along with me in the office car. After a few days he stopped stalking me. The man was Vinod Dua. When I read about his outrage against Akshay Kumar's sexist words to his daughter Malika Dua, I said to myself he's obviously forgotten that he was no less sexist, no less misogynist, no less creepy a sexual harasser, potential rapist. If he did to me, I'm sure he would have done it to other women. Today, he does programmes explaining the world what constitutes sexual harassment. He should stop everything and look into his own shady past. I saw him on a thread which was expressing outrage the false accusations against Varun Grover. I could see what his mind was cooking up when stories against him spill out. I won't be surprised if he denies. He's always been an opportunist. #MeToo”, mentioned Nishtha.
However, the senior journalist, who works was as a consulting editor for the web publication ‘The Wire’ has denied all the allegations against him. His daughter Mallika Dua too extended her support to her father as she shared a post which said, "If at all my father is truly guilty of what you described, it is unacceptable, traumatic and painful."
— Mallika Dua (@MallikaDua) October 14, 2018
In the past, Mallika Dua had faced a similar situation wherein on a reality show, Akshay Kumar had passed a wrong comment. During the shoot The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, where Akshay and Mallika were appointed as judges. Apparently, Mallika liked a performance and as per the format mentors and judges were required to ring a huge bell that was hanged on an elevated platform. When Mallika was about to ring the bell after the act, Akshay remarked, “Mallika ji aap bell bajao, main aapko bajata hoon.” After which the comedian strongly opposed the superstar’s comment on her, later her father was too outraged against Akshay Kumar's sexist comment to his daughter Malika Dua.
The #Metoo stormed in India after actress Tanushree Dutta accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment. Later many celebrities like Alok Nath, Rajat Kapoor, Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl came under the red light of the #MeToo fight.
Share
Tweet
