Following accusations against cinematographer Pratik Shah, veteran Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta has publicly urged the film industry to actively denounce and address predatory behavior. The allegations against Shah, who recently gained recognition for his work in the film Homebound, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, involve claims of inappropriate conduct and emotional abuse.
The accusations surfaced when independent filmmaker Abhinav Singh shared an account on Instagram detailing an encounter with an unnamed cinematographer, later revealed to be Shah. Singh's initial post triggered a wave of responses, with many individuals sharing their own experiences, which prompted Singh to disclose Shah's identity, emphasizing that he would not remain silent about the alleged misconduct.
The situation escalated as numerous women came forward with similar accounts. Singh reported that nearly twenty women had contacted him, each recounting troubling experiences involving Shah and detailing patterns of manipulative and emotionally abusive behavior. One individual described Shah's messages as "extremely lewd." Singh also noted that Shah had allegedly been engaging in such behavior for approximately four years and criticized the film industry for its selective attention to such issues, particularly when the accused are acclaimed professionals.
Adding another layer to the allegations, The Hollywood Reporter India reported that a similar movement against Shah had been initiated four years prior by the Indian Women Cinematographer Collective (IWCC), after a young cinematographer approached the organization with a complaint.
Hansal Mehta released a statement via Instagram in response to the growing allegations. Mehta emphasized the importance of taking these accusations seriously and ensuring they are thoroughly investigated. He stressed that if these allegations are not addressed with the necessary rigor, they risk fading away, allowing predatory behavior to persist unchecked within the industry.
Dharma Productions, the production company behind Homebound, also released an official statement addressing the allegations against Shah. The company stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment. They clarified that Shah was a freelancer on Homebound for a limited time, and their internal committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) did not receive any complaints against him during his engagement with the project.
Mehta has been a vocal advocate against harassment in the film industry. In the wake of the #MeToo movement in 2018, he spoke out about the need for awareness and the importance of addressing harassment at its root. He emphasized that harassment, whether sexual or mental, needs to be taken seriously and that a change in attitude across all levels of the industry is necessary to prevent those in power from abusing their positions.
The current situation involving Pratik Shah underscores the challenges the industry faces in creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone. While Dharma Productions stated that no complaints were filed during Shah's tenure, the recent outpouring of allegations suggests a need for more proactive measures to ensure accountability and support for victims.
The deactivation of Pratik Shah's Instagram account and his silence on the matter further complicate the situation. As the industry grapples with these allegations, Hansal Mehta's call to action serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to create a culture of zero tolerance for predatory behavior and to ensure that those who engage in such actions are held accountable.
