'Queen' Director Vikas Bahl Accused Of Sexual Harassment, Kangana Ranaut Supports Claim

The #MeToo moment that had ignited in the west has surely inspired several women across the globe. Social media is going abuzz with several women coming out and narrating horrific incidents of sexual harassment and have revealed the names of perpetrators. Several popular Indian names have come in the forefront. The latest name that has popped up, is that of the 'Queen' director Vikas Bahl.  Reportedly, Vikas Bahl had been accused of sexual harassment in the past , but had denied it in 2017. 

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Three years after the incident, the sexual assault survivor , came out and gave horrifying details of what happened , on the night when Vikas Bahl harassed her in a hotel room. Speaking to HuffPost, she said that before the release of the film 'Bombay Velvet' , the cast and crew had gathered together for a party. Post the party, Bahl offered to drop the woman to her room since she was recovering from an accident and also had a few drinks. The two headed to the room and the woman bid Vikas a good night and gave him a hug. After that, she rushed inside the bathroom, as she could not "control her urge to pee". However, when she stepped out of the bathroom, Vikas was lying on the footrest of the bed. She allegedly asked him to leave, repeatedly, which he did not do. She gathered some strength and put some pillows to create a divider. She said she was on the verge of passing out, but a part of her brain was aware of the man lying on her bed. As soon as she lied down, in a few seconds, Bahl put his hand in her dress, while the woman resisted several times. She said that he then dropped his pants and started masturbating onto her back, because her back was towards him. He then left the room. 

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Vikas Bahl, is one of the four partners of Phantom films. Recently, there were reports of dissolution of the production house, due to an internal scuffle between the partners. It is said that the reason for the dissolution is the accusations made on the director. Anurag Kashyap, co-owner of Phantom films , said that he knew about the harassment, but could not do anything. He also said that they will stand by the victim and give her their support. 

Kangana Ranaut, who has worked with Vikas Bahl in 'Queen' agreed to the claims made by the woman. She said that on the sets of the 2014 film, he would  "hold her really tight" and would "smell her hair. Kangana, revealed that she even lost out on a few projects after she decided to help the girl who accused Vikas Bahl. 

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta too condemned this act.