Shilpa Shinde recalls being sexually assaulted by a Bollywood producer: "He asked me to......"

The recently released Justice Hema Committee report has sent shockwaves through the film industry, revealing widespread sexual harassment and appalling working conditions faced by women, particularly in the Malayalam cinema. The findings have sparked outrage, with several high-profile actors from across India, including Telugu stars like Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Nani, openly expressing their concerns about the dire state of affairs for women in the entertainment industry.

In the wake of these revelations, television actress Shilpa Shinde has bravely come forward to share her own unsettling experience of sexual assault during the early stages of her acting career. In a candid interview, Shilpa recalled an incident from 1998-99, during her struggling days in Bollywood, where she was asked to seduce a filmmaker during an audition. She explained that, being young and naive at the time, she agreed to perform the scene as instructed.

“He told me to wear certain clothes and act out a scene where I had to seduce him, claiming it was part of the audition process. I didn’t wear those clothes, but I did the scene. It was only later I realized what his real intentions were,” Shilpa revealed. She recounted how the situation quickly escalated when the individual attempted to force himself on her, prompting her to flee the set in fear. Fortunately, the security team stepped in and escorted her away before the situation worsened.

Shilpa also shared an encounter with the same filmmaker years later, where he failed to recognize her and even offered her a role in one of his projects. She refused, citing the traumatic memory from their previous interaction. Although she chose not to name the individual, she emphasized that such incidents are not isolated and that many women in the industry have endured similar experiences.

As voices rise in support of the findings of the Justice Hema Committee, Shilpa’s story stands as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of sexual harassment in the film world. The actress strongly advocates for women to understand that they have the power to say no, encouraging others to come forward and share their stories without fear.