Arjun: Industry had heard sexual harassment rumours about Vikas Bahl

There were always whispers in the industry about the allegations of sexual harassment against Vikas Bahl says Arjun Kapoor who is shocked that it happened at Phantom Films a production banner which was viewed as a torchbearer of change in cinemaBahl is accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of Phantom Films formed by four partners Bahl Anurag Kashyap Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena The company was dissolved last week amid allegations that Kashyap and Motwane did not address the issue a claim both denyArjun said he had interacted with the four filmmakers and it was saddening to read the detailsThere was speculation in the industry There were certain people who knew the reality within the office Phantom Films The hearsay doesnt allow us the power to do something when people within the office are not doing something It is like when there is a robbery happening in your house the neighbour cant file the complaintNot having an HR in office is bizarre I am not able to wrap my head around this It is basic for any company you could have saved the girl from further damage if you had a safe environment in your office it is sad and bizarre Arjun told PTIArjun said there is no point giving individuals importance by discussing them as everyone is still coming to terms with itWe had only heard we had no understanding It is unfortunate as they were intelligent sorted and successful people who were going to be the torchbearers of change in our films It is a sad time for people as we are still processing what happened There is no reason talking about individuals giving them more importance than they deserve They will be outcast anywayThe MeToo movement of India has brought out several skeletons out of the closet Personalities like Nana Patekar Alok Nath Rajat Kapoor Vikas Bahl and Kailash Kher have been accused of sexual harassmentAsked whether he will ever collaborate with people who have been named Arjun said These are not important things You think society will allow them to exist Work is a farfetched thing People who are going to be named are not going to be able to roam around easily It is going to be a different environmentWomen have come out and spoken and one needs to hear them respect and understand what they have been through he said Whether one takes ten years or 20 years it is not important They can take 30 years or three minutes The fact that they had the courage to come out and take names is commendable They are in a vulnerable position and we need to let them put everything out I would like to say when a woman is going through something like this they dont look for evidence You have to support them 999 per cent of the women will be speaking the truth It doesnt suit them to malign their own life and somebody elsesArjun said it is unfortunate that the film industry is the starting point of MeToo but he is happy that it will bring about a changeIf the film industry has to be a villain for there to be a cleanse in society for people to have fear to ever do these things again if we can cause that fear in any man across the country and stop him subconsciously from doing something like this I will take thatArjun said the stories are like the opening of the Pandoras box The mudslinging that has happened somewhere the industry is to be blamed because we have ignored the speculation and nobody bothered to get to the bottom of things And we all behave like it doesnt happen in the film industry The reality is coming out and it is a Pandoras boxWe all need to shut up and listen To look for excuses is stupid we have to introspect as an industry and as a profession We have to try and find a solution to make it a safe environment for womenThe actor said the industry will have a unified reaction against the culprits and in creating a safe and secure environment for womenThere will be a harsh treatment that will follow from the law as well as from the profession but we need to take time to take stock We cannot have an immediate reaction This is something that will go on for a while and certain facets will emerge Then we will all be in a position to have a solutionArjun said the issue of women safety is not just limited to films It is a deeprooted mindset in the countryThere is a big difference between social decorum and being friends or wanting to be physically intimate with a man and that blur of lines only Indian men seem to have It is a big problem that we dont seem to comprehend when a woman is being nice to you That blur has caused a lot of damage The demarcation is now needed when a woman says No it is a NoAlso ReadFWICE To Boycott Alok Nath Nana Patekar Vikas BahlCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday 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