Alok Nath stripped in front of me, female crew member claims

She shared horrific experience of working with him on the sets of 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'

The #MeToo movement in India has gathered momentum in recent days, with more than a dozen complaints of sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct leveled online against prominent journalists, actors, movie directors, comedians and other public figures.

Most recently, veteran Indian producer Vinta Nanda accused television bigwig Alok Nath, who is known for his 'sanskaari' image on screen. After her claims of Nath brutalising her, not just once but twice, a woman crew member of Hum Saath Saath Hain shared her horrific experience of working with him.

In an interview with Mid-Day, the woman recounted her horrific experience during the last schedule of the film in Mumbai.

PHOTO: MID DAY

"We were shooting for a night scene and I had taken a change of costumes to him. Once I handed him the clothes, he started stripping in front of me. I was taken aback, and tried to make my way out of the room as soon as possible. When I tried to run out, he grabbed my hand and manhandled me. I remember yanking my hand out of his grip and rushing out of the room," she alleged.

Even though she was "shell-shocked", the woman did not complain about Alok's inappropriate behaviour to Sooraj Barjatya, the director and producer of the 1998 family drama. "I was shell-shocked; I couldn't muster the courage to speak up against him. He was extremely close to the Barjatyas, and Sooraj sir would have taken it badly," she said.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

The woman managed to get through the last schedule of the film somehow, but came out scarred for life. "I don't actively do movies anymore. The course of my career changed [after this episode]. But Vinta's post brought it all back," she said.

Meanwhile, Sushant Singh, who is general secretary of the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA), has assured Vinta that they will send a show cause notice to the veteran actor.

The writer hailed the move and said, "I am glad CINTAA is taking action against him. I salute Vinta's courage; I wish I could show the same courage, but life has come way past it and I can't put my family through this."

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