As Anurag Kashyap fights against accusations of sexual harassment, made by actor Payal Ghosh, many of his friends and colleagues in the industry have come out in support. Anurag’s former assistant Jaydeep Sarkar has also defended the filmmaker on social media.
Jaydeep shared a series of tweets on Monday, recalling an incident from years ago when he was working with Anurag and an actress suggested sexual favors in exchange for work. She said Anurag flatly rejected her and was disappointed in what some women have to do to get jobs in the film industry.
“This is the right time to tell this story. I was an assistant to @ anuragkashyap72 in 2004. I was looking for a secondary casting for ‘Gulaal’ and was meeting a lot of actors. A young actress who really wanted to be in the film insisted that she wanted to meet Anurag, ”he wrote. “She waited a while and then Anurag finished with a narration and agreed to meet her. The young actress probably assumed that the only way to land the role was through the ‘casting couch’. She tried to suggest some ‘favors’ verbally, “he added.
Jaydeep said that when Anurag rejected her, she tried other ways. But when Anurag politely ignored him, he gently dropped his pallu sari. A few times. At this point, Anurag got up and asked him not to do this. He told her that he would get the part if it fit well and nothing else would work. Saying this, he left the room, disappointed. I was surprised by what I saw, but I had seen a hero come out of a situation, with respect and empathy for it. He later told me that he was disappointed that so many young women felt that this is the only way they can do it, ”she said.
Jaydeep said that Anurag always respected women. “I don’t blame the woman! Many like her enter the industry, believing that this is how they select you for a movie. And that may even be true, just like in any other field of work. But having worked with Anurag, especially in casting, the only thing I always observed was her absolute respect for women, “he said.
Payal, who was seen in Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi, accused Anurag of sexual harassment on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, he said: “Five years ago I met Anurag Kashyap about work. He called me at his house. When I went there, he took me to a separate room and tried to sexually assault me. He made me do it. “
Read also | Payal Ghosh criticizes those who doubt his claims against Anurag Kashyap: ‘People blame women for everything’
Post the allegations, Kashyap responded on Twitter in which he denied the allegations, claiming they were “unfounded.” “I am not behaving like this and I will not tolerate it at any cost,” he said. His lawyer has also responded to the complaints.
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