Shama Sikander shares her #MeeToo story: I was 14, a director put his hand on my thigh

Since the time Tanushree Dutta came out with details of harassment she faced on the sets of a 2008 film, Horn OK Pleassss, at the hands of veteran actor Nana Patekar, scores of women have spoken up in what is being seen as India’s #MeToo.

Several Bollywood personalities such as directors Sajid Khan, Subhash Ghai, Vikas Bahl and Rajat Kapoor, actors such as Alok Nath and singers such as Kailash Kher and Abhijeet have been named in India’s #MeToo movement.

After many actress, now television actress Shama Sikander has come out and reveals her own story. She recalled how once she too faced sexual harassment at the age of 14.

Shama said, “During the initial days of my career, when I was 14, a director put his hand on my thigh. I, immediately said no and shook him off. He told me, ‘You think, you are going to be a star yaha koi nahi chodega tumhe. If not a director, an actor or producer might exploit you. You cannot grow without that. I was a 14-year-old who came with big aspirations and dreams.”

Later on, when the actress was asked to react to allegations levelled against Alok Nath, she was quick to say, “It was quite shocking for me. I haven’t worked with him and heard of such instances.”

Shama maintained that now if so many people have come forward with their stories, they must be heard. Taking Alok Nath’s instance, she also stated that people tend to look at the on-screen image of an actor/actress and do not think that the person has more to him/her.

Shama further said that people don’t really understand the meaning of ‘consent’. She applauded the ones who have put up a brave face by sharing their ordeals. While, she said all those questioning the survivors for sharing incidents after so long are dumb.

credits: zimbio