“A Young Actress Let Her Saree Pallu Drop, Suggested ‘Favours’ to Get a Role in Gulaal”: Anurag Kashyap’s Assistant

In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was accused of sexual misconduct by actress Payal Ghosh. The actress shared her ordeal of sexual assault on social media and alleged that Kashyap forced himself on her.

 “Anurag Kashyap has forced himself on me and extremely badly. Narendra Modi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Pls help!” Payal shared on Twitter.

Payal’s revelations have left the industry personalities divided in opinion. Anurag’s ex-partners Arti Bajaj and Kalki Koechlin, along with other industry friends including Taapsee Pannu, Radhika Apte have come out in support of him. On the other hand, actress Kangana Ranaut has lent support to Payal and also revealed that she has faced sexual harassment by big heroes.

Also Read: Ex Wife Kalki Koechlin backs Anurag Kashyap amid MeToo allegations: Hang on to that dignity

Amid the MeToo row, Anurag Kashyap’s assistant Jaydeep Sarkar took to Twitter to recall an incident wherein a young actress suggested ‘favours’ to the director in order to bag a role in the film Gulaal. Sharing the incident, Jaydeep tweeted, "This is the right time to recount this story. I was an assistant with @anuragkashyap72 in 2004. I was looking into secondary casting for ‘Gulaal’ and was meeting many actors. A young actress, who really wanted a part in the film insisted she wanted to meet Anurag. Thread."

Without naming the actress, Jaydeep shared how the young heroine, at first suggested ‘favours’ verbally but later when Kashyap ignored it, she let the pallu of her saree drop.

 "She waited a while and then Anurag got done with narration and agreed to meet her. The young actress probably assumed the only way to get the role was through the ‘casting couch’. She tried suggesting a few ‘favours’ verbally” read Jaydeep’s tweet, followed by: "but when Anurag politely ignored it, she gently let her sari pallu drop. A few times. At this point, Anurag got up and requested her to not do this. He told her she would get the part if she was the right fit and nothing else would work." 

Further, Jaydeep went on to laud Kashyap as he wrote: "Saying this, he walked out of the room, disappointed. I was shocked by what I saw, but I had seen a hero get out of a situation, with respect and empathy for her. Later he told me he was disappointed that so many young women feel this is the only way they can make it." 

To conclude his tread, Jaydeep asserted: "But having worked with Anurag, especially in casting, the one thing I always observed was his absolute respect for women."

Read the full thread here: 

Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap's lawyer has issued a press statement and denied the allegations levelled against him. “These allegations are completely false, malicious and dishonest. It is sad that a social movement as important as the #metoo movement has been co-opted by vested interests and reduced to a mere tool for character assassination” read an excerpt from the statement.

Read the full statement here: 

Payal Ghosh has said that she will file an FIR against Anurag Kashyap at Oshiwara Police Station by evening today. Follow this space to know about further developments in this case.