Model Dimple Paul has levelled charges against director Sajid Khan of sexually harassing her by asking her to strip while auditioning for his film, Housefull (2010). Khan has previously been accused of similar lewd behaviour and was suspended by the IFTDA (Indian Film and Television Directors' Association) for a year in 2018.
The filmmaker was among the key figures to be accused at the height of the #MeToo movement in India that year. While he admitted to being abusive, he rejected the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him. However, the IFTDA suspended the filmmaker for a year following his admission.
Dimple Paul shared her experiences on Instagram, penning a long post accusing Khan of lewd behaviour during her audition for the film. She wrote, "When #MeTOo movement started, a lot of people spoke about Sajid Khan but I did not dare to because every actor who has no godfather had to earn for a family. I kept quiet. Now I don't have my parents with me. I am earning for myself. I can dare to tell that I have been harassed by Sajid Khan at the age of 17 (sic)"
🙏🏼 Before democracy dies and there is no freedom of speech anymore I thought I should speak !
A post shared by Dimple paul (@paulaa__official) on
She wrote, "He spoke dirty to me. He tried to touch me. He even told me to strip in front of him just to get a role in the Housefull movie."
Dimple Paul admitted that she was wrong in not speaking out about her ordeal earlier but said she decided to after she realized how deeply it had affected her. "These bastards should be behind bars not only for casting couch but also for manipulating and stealing away our dreams!!" she said.
Khan had earlier been accused by several women, including actresses Rachel White and Saloni Chopra, of sexual harassment.