Anurag Kashyap opens up about Vikas Bahl controversy

Anurag Kashyap opens up about Vikas Bahl controversy
Monday, October 08, 2018 13:59 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Film director Anurag Kashyap recently issued a statement over sexual harassment allegation levelled against 'Queen' director and co-owner of now dissolved Phantom Films, Vikas Bahl, and stated that he was deeply sorry for not handling the incident properly at the required time.

Bahl has been accused of sexually harassing a woman who used to work as a crew member with him in Phantom Films.

Clarifying his stance in the matter, Kashyap said: "While at Phantom, I did everything I could, within what I was told by my partner and his lawyers. For legal and financial decisions, I was fully dependent on my partner and his team. They took care of those things so I could focus on what I did better, creatives. His word and his team's word on any matter used to be the final word for us."

He also said how he was ill-advised about the whole matter, "According to legal advice provided to me then, I was told that we had very limited options. Now in hindsight and after taking stock of things myself, I can quite see how I was ill-advised."

The statement that was posted on Twitter, further read that they took a strong stand against Bahl by barring him from the office premises and taking away his signing authority.

He also disclosed that the woman did not inform about the incident to him for a very long time. "What makes it worse personally for me is that the victim did not share the incident with me for a long time because she saw me dealing with my depression," he added.

The Phantom Films which produced movies like 'Queen', 'Udta Punjab', 'NH10' and many more, dissolved on October 5. Kashyap and other members - Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena and Vikas Bahl of the production house tweeted about the decision without citing any reason for it.

Recently, a woman came forward and narrated her horrifying experience with Vikas Bahl, in a series of interviews with a publication. The alleged sexual harassment incident took place in 2015, during a promotional tour for a movie 'Bombay Velvet'. The woman also tried reaching out to Kashyap to speak about the incident. However, she said nothing came out of it and the issue wasn't taken seriously till two years later.

Anurag posted his statement on social media. Here's complete statement:

Rashmika Mandanna Unveils Bold First Look from 'Mysaa' -Her Fiercest Role Yet!

Popular pan-India star Rashmika Mandanna has officially dropped the curtain on her next big project

Friday, June 27, 2025
Alia Bhatt Channels Rekha's Timeless Glamour in Silsila-Inspired Look at Umrao Jaan Screening!

Bollywood’s beloved fashionista and powerhouse performer Alia Bhatt once again proved her style prowess

Friday, June 27, 2025
Neeru Bajwa Deletes All 'Sardaar Ji 3' Posts Amid Controversy Over Hania Aamir's Casting!

The Punjabi horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3 has found itself at the center of a heated controversy following the

Friday, June 27, 2025
WAR 2 to have a Global IMAX Release in theatres!

YRF’s blockbuster Spy Universe’s most anticipated action spectacle of the year WAR 2 will play exclusively

Friday, June 27, 2025
Sonakshi Sinha's ‘Nikita Roy' Release Postponed to Amid Screen Battle!

The much-anticipated supernatural thriller Nikita Roy, headlined by Sonakshi Sinha, has officially

Friday, June 27, 2025