Actress Sonam K Ahuja was invited to speak at the Vogue We The Women summit in Bangalore where she spoke out about director Vikas Bahl and the closure of Phantom Films. "I find it disgusting," she said. "If you read that article, it's gut wrenching. I know these people. I know all of them." Sonam was asked how she would deal with the situation by journalist Barkha Dutt, and she said she didn't know. All I know is that I believe the woman, Sonam stated.
She stressed the importance of speaking out as even one person could lead to change.
Dutt then said that Bahl was a big person in the industry and would people be able to speak out against him? Sonam then brought up Kangana Ranaut and her statements on Bahl.
"Kangana is obviously Kangana Ranaut. She says a lot of stuff and sometimes it's hard to take her seriously. I love the fact that she has spunk and she says what she believes. I really respect her for that. I don’t know him [Bahl], I don’t know the situation. If what is written what is written is true, then it’s disgusting and awful. If it’s true, then they should be punished for it," Sonam said.
Ranaut, in an interview with MissMalini.com, spoke about her experiences working with the director on Queen (2014). She stated that the filmmaker "bragged about having casual sex with a new partner every other day" and made her uncomfortable when he hugged her in social situations. When Bahl approached her for a film after the sexual allegations emerged from the unnamed employeed at Phantom, she turned down the script and supported the girl.
"When I supported the girl, he stopped talking to me. I didn’t mind losing out on a good script and I never called him either. I was determined to say what I felt was right. But the matter was pushed under the carpet and I didn’t hear any updates," she said.
Ranaut, who heard about Sonam's statement, took offense with the actress not believing her statement about her Queen (2014) director. She told Pinkvilla.com, "What does she mean by saying, 'It's hard to believe Kangana'. When I am sharing my MeToo story, who gives her a right to judge me? So, Sonam Kapoor has the license of trusting some women and some she won’t..."
The Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019) actress continued, "What makes her so unsure of my claims, I am known to be an articulate person, I have represented my country in many international summits, I am called as a thought and youth influencer to these summits, I am not known because of my dad, I have earned my place and credibility after struggling for a decade. She isn’t known to be a great actress, neither she has the reputation of being a good speaker... What gives these filmi people right to take digs at me!!!! I will demolish each one of them."