Television actress Shilpa Shinde, who occupied a special place in the hearts of the fans of the superhit show BhabhiJi Ghar Par Hain, has made shocking revelations of how she was sexually harassed during the shooting of the show.
Shilpa also filed an FIR against the show producer Sanjay Kohli and has given some shocking details on what happened to her on the sets. Shilpa goes on to say that it all started as a joke but soon things became out of control and she couldn't take the lewd comments anymore.
“In our industry, everything is taken lightly. Guys say so many things and if you react to them, they go like - ‘we are kidding’. Things like – ‘You are looking, hot sexy’ - are common. Sanjay Ji used to come on the set and while Benaifer would take care of all the paperwork, he would be the one who would talk like this to us,” she told a leading national daily.
Shilpa has also given some specific instances where she felt that Kohli crossed the line deliberately.
“Once Sanjay ji told me that for the promotion of show, we will have to go out.and that we will have a nice time. Also, in the make-up room, he came close to me and photo lete huye and apna haath rakha mujhe…I could feel that touch was not right,” she says.
Shilpa goes on to say that she had brought up the matter with her co-actors such as Saumya Tandon.
“I spoke to Saumya also about this, but she was like – ‘Humari industry mein koi rape nai karta Shilpa’. But I told her that I was feeling very uncomfortable. Later I got to know that Saumya told Benaifer (co-producer Benaifer Kohli, Sanjay’s wife) because two days later Benaifer asked me if I wanted to leave the show. She told me - ‘yeh kya keh rahi ho tum…koi pyaar se baat karta hai, toh tumhe yeh sab lagta hai. Humein do minute lagenge tumhara career spoil karne mein," Shilpa told media reporters last week.
Sexual harassment at the workplace
Unlike common perception, sexual harassment at the workplace is quite common and even big celebs such as Twinkle Khanna haven't been spared. Last week, Twinkle had shared how she was in tears after she received a call from one of her male colleagues and she was in tears.
"A few years ago, a message on my phone reduced me to tears in the car. I had reached the breaking point after months of suggestive messages from a wealthy, powerful client that I had been pretending not to understand because all I wanted to do was to complete the project in a professional manner, "she said.
Twinkle also said that despite being married to a man who is an onscreen hero, she was not spared and she can't even imagine what other common women go through in real-life situations.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind if you're a victim of sexual abuse at work.
1. Document everything: While you must speak up about how you're being targetted, it would be of no use if you don't have proofs to show the HR or the concerned authorities.
2. Report it: Report the matter to the concerned authorities at work and if nothing happens seek legal action after thoughtful consideration.
3. Don't give up: Don't just quit your job until and unless you find that no action is being taken and it is being increasingly difficult for you to go to work every day. Keeping quiet would only encourage them to harass other women after you leave.
Also Read: Shocking! Twinkle Khanna on being sexually abused at work!
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[All images courtesy: Instagram]
