In the wake of #MeToo movement in Bollywood, Akshay Kumar has now decided to step away from his forthcoming film Housefull 4.
The film is directed by Sajid Khan who has been called out by three women for sexual harassment. Actor Nana Patekar who is also part of the film, has been accused by Tanushree Dutta of sexually harassing her 10 years ago.
Akshay, who just returned to India from Italy, has cancelled the shoot of Housefull 4.
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The 51-year-old actor issued a statement on Twitter handle, “I have just landed back in the country last night and reading all the news has been very disturbing. I’ve requested the producers of Housefull 4 to cancel the shoot until further investigation. This is something that requires stringent action. I will not work with any proven offenders and all this who have been subjugated to harassment should be heard and given the justice they deserve.”
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 12, 2018
Soon after Akshay, director Sajid Khan tweeted that he’s stepping down till the time he can allay the allegations and prove the truth.
His post reads: “In the wake of allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producer, my stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from the post of director of the film till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth.”
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) October 12, 2018
READ MORE| #MeToo: Director Sajid Khan accused of sexual harassment as 3 women share the ordeal
Even, Akshay’s wife Twinkle Khanna had tweeted on the issue,”Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on,” she wrote.
Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on.
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 12, 2018
Actor Rachel White, assistant director Saloni Chopra and journalist Karishma Upadhyay — had shared their story of sexual harassment at the hands of Sajid Khan.