After Aamir Khan opts out of Gulshan Kumar biopic, T-Series sacks Subhash Kapoor

After actor-producer Aamir Khan and his wife, producer Kiran Rao, announced that they are stepping away from Mogul following allegations of sexual harassment against its director Subhash Kapoor, co-producer T-Series has deicided to oust Kapoor from the project. Kapoor was once accused of sexual misconduct by actress Geetika Tyagi.

Mogul is a biopic on the late T-series founder Gulshan Kumar. Bhushan Kumar, head of T-Series and son of Gulshan Kumar, has sent out a statement, saying, "It is our foremost duty to make our industry safe for everyone, make an industry that creates environment of equality and a better place to work. With the on-going proceedings against the director that is brought to our notice, everyone at T-Series have decided to not work with the director."

Khan and Rao's decision came on the day she was named as one of the members of a special committee set up by the Producers’ Guild of India to tackle issues of sexual harassment. They took the step in the aftermath of the #MeToo movement spreading like wildfire in India.

Without mentioning the film or the person concerned, Khan had posted a message on his social media accounts that he and his wife had chosen to walk away from one film in the wake of allegations against someone associated with it.

“Two weeks ago, when traumatic #MeToo stories began emerging, it was brought to our attention that someone we were about to begin work with has been accused of sexual misconduct," Aamir Khan's message read. "Upon inquiry, we found that the particular case is subjudice and the legal process is in motion. We are not an investigative agency nor are we in any position to pass judgment on anyone — so, without casting aspersions on anyone involved in this case, and without coming to any conclusions about these specific allegations, we have decided to step away from this film.”

T-Series had earlier announced that Aamir Khan was coming on board the project as a co-producer and while it was yet to be confirmed, he was also tipped to play the titular role.

After Khan announced his decision, Kumar was asked if Kapoor may be asked to step aside. “Yes, we are doing that and trying to continue. In order to support the #MeToo movement we will change the director in that case,” he had replied.

T-Series had earlier announced the project with Akshay Kumar in the lead, but as the film got delayed Akshay Kumar moved on to other projects, and T-Series eyed a bigger star.

Meanwhile, Geetika Tyagi welcomed Aamir Khan’s move to opt out of the film and lauded him for supporting the #MeToo movement. “This is commendable," she tweeted, "and this is the kind of support we want so that more and more women can come out.” 

The Subhash Kapoor-Geetika Tyagi feud had taken place a couple of years ago. So, it did come as a bit of a surprise when Aamir Khan agreed to associate with a film directed by Kapoor. We asked Tyagi about this, but she refused to comment. 

In 2016. the former journalist and actress had stormed into Kapoor's house and, in the presence of his wife, accused him of sexual misconduct. A video of the fracas is still on YouTube. In the 30-minute video, Tyagi is seen demanding answers from Kapoor and going on to slap the Jolly LLB (2013) director.