Verdict’s Out, But Is Bollywood Ready to FORGIVE Vijay Raaz?

Actor Vijay Raaz, known for his indelible roles in cult favourites like 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly', 'Dedh Ishqiya', and 'Gully Boy', has now been legally acquitted of sexual harassment and stalking charges that were filed against him during the shoot of the Vidya Balan starrer, 'Sherni'. The case, which lingered in the public consciousness far longer than in the court, found its closure in the Gondia Magistrate Court, which cleared all charges against the actor post trial.

Raaz's counsel, the prominent advocate Saveena Bedi Sachar, commented that the actor had to not only leave the shoot midway but also lost work in the immediate aftermath of the allegations. Now, with a clean slate and a declaration of innocence, she expressed hope that this case becomes a cautionary tale for those who pronounce judgment prematurely the moment an accusation surfaces.

The alleged incident occurred on November 4, 2020, in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, where the 'Sherni' team was stationed. Raaz was briefly arrested following the complaint that he had passed unsolicited remarks about a crew member's appearance and tried to adjust her mask without consent. Though he was released on bail the same day, the allegation was already in the public domain and had taken root.

Tragically, the woman who filed the complaint passed away before the trial concluded, leaving the case without her testimony.

But what this acquittal also does is stir the larger pot of uncomfortable questions that the film industry—and indeed, our society at large—has yet to resolve. Vijay Raaz, though vindicated by the law, finds himself a character caught in a narrative that refuses to adhere to simple binaries. His image has often been a tricky one; not merely because of this case, but also due to the infamous 'Son of Sardaar 2' spat where he was ousted and had a very public fallout with the film's producers.

Over the years, Raaz has frequently found himself orbiting around controversies. But legal clarity, as this case shows, can slice through the fog of perception. And perception, as we've seen with other celebrities, often overshadows due process. The #MeToo movement in India, which had its explosive moment in 2018-2019, opened the floodgates for necessary conversations around workplace misconduct. But it also inadvertently created a landscape where allegations often led to instant cancellation—long before any legal scrutiny had even begun.

Take the case of veteran actor Nana Patekar. Accused by Tanushree Dutta during the #MeToo wave, the case against him was closed in 2019 due to lack of evidence. The Mumbai Police filed a B summary report, exonerating him legally, yet the actor still carries a social stain that refuses to fade. Similarly, filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani was accused by a female crew member during the post-production of 'Sanju'. No formal complaint was ever filed, and many within the industry defended him vocally. In both cases, and others like them, a pattern emerges: once accused, always suspect in the court of public opinion.

Over the years, Raaz has frequently found himself orbiting around controversies. But legal clarity, as this case shows, can slice through the fog of perception. And perception, as we've seen with other celebrities, often overshadows due process.

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Vijay Raaz, despite the noise, kept working. The case didn’t dent his employability as dramatically as one might assume. He continued to be cast in prominent roles across genres and platforms. That in itself is an anomaly worth dissecting. Was it his reputation as an exceptional character actor that gave him an industry safety net? Or was it a collective cognitive dissonance that allowed people to separate the art from the artist?

The truth is that Raaz remains one of the most gifted, scene-stealing actors working in Hindi cinema today. This verdict may not be a resurrection simply because there wasn’t a complete professional burial in the first place. Yet, one can't deny that the formal closure lends him an edge of moral high ground he didn’t have before.

What complicates the matter further is that, curiously, the Sherni case wasn’t the most damaging episode for Raaz’s public persona. It was, in fact, the 'Son of Sardaar 2' controversy that became a louder conversation point. The fallout there led to an array of hushed industry whispers around his temperament and general professionalism. In contrast, several stars who’ve worked with him have gone on record with effusive praise. The dichotomy between gossip and testimony remains stark.

So where does this leave us?

In a precarious space, frankly. Are we too quick to cancel? Do we reserve redemption only for those with clout? Or are we simply unable to sit with the discomfort of ambiguity?

The questions aren’t new, but the need to revisit them is urgent. For every case like Vijay Raaz’s that finds closure, there are others that remain in limbo. Some accusations don’t make it to court; some fade out with no follow-up; some explode and implode without resolution.

Now that Raaz has been acquitted, will the industry acknowledge it vocally? Or will it quietly continue to cast him, pretending the controversy never happened? More importantly, will the public memory recalibrate, or remain frozen at the point of accusation?

He wasn't short of work even while the case was ongoing, but this development might lead to an even broader second wind in his career. Then again, maybe not.

We leave with you a poll below and also let us know your opinions in the comments below.

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