Sony Entertainment Television to drop Anu Malik from Indian Idol 11 after objections rise again

Singer-composer Anu Malik is reportedly in trouble after objections raised by Sona Mohapatra, as well as Neha Bhasin, raked up the issue of his inappropriate behaviour. The composer is currently under threat of being removed from his position of judge on the 11th season of Indian Idol by the Sony Entertainment Television. 

The daily Deccan Chronicle has reported that the channel is likely to show Malik the door, following a growing demand for him to step down. The report also stated that the channel had not expected the backlash to be so strong, since they thought the #MeToo movement had faded away. 

The composer was accused by multiple women of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment back in 2018. Following the accusations and the rise of the #MeToo movement, Malik stepped down from his position as judge on the reality show, Indian Idol. 

However, once the furore around the accusations died down, the composer was reinstated to his original position. This has riled up fury against the channel and composer once again.

Singer Sona Mohapatra was the first to raise the issue, slamming the channel and Malik's co-judges of staying silent while allowing a #MeToo accused to return to the limelight. Earlier this month, singer Neha Bhasin also opened up on her own experience with Anu Malik. 

While he has been on the defensive, Malik has received some support from singer Hema Sardesai. Sardesai wrote an Instagram post, questioning the accusers of why they stayed silent till date. She also added, "If one of the decent most singers like me could have sung some of Anu Malik's greatest songs, it proves there is a great artiste in him who respected true talent and who respectfully gave me songs on merit alone (sic)." 

Malik has repeatedly denied the allegations. Back in 2018, the composer had voluntarily stepped down of his role in the reality series, Indian Idol, after the allegations arose. The composer has been a part of the show since 2004.