Veteran actor Dalip Tahil reveals why he filmed an actress' consent

Actor spoke about the ongoing #MeToo movement and how some film-makers use young actresses to their advantage

Incidents of sexual harassment in Bollywood have been pouring out ever since Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of misbehaving with her on the sets of Horn 'Ok' Pleassss back in 2008. Many celebrities have come forward either sharing their horrific ordeals or stating that they knew about the sexual predators all along but chose to stay silent. Now, veteran actor Dalip Tahil has also stated that he was aware of exploitation cases that existed within the industry, reported Hindustan Times.

Tanushree Dutta takes #MeToo claims to police

With his career spanning over 40 years, Tahil said that he recorded a female actor's consent before filming a rape scene. He clarified that his act was not only because #MeToo has kicked up a storm in Bollywood, but also because he asked for consent 25 years ago as well.

PHOTO: INDIA TIMES

Speaking of the recent incident, the 65-year-old actor shared, "People should stop exploiting people who are vulnerable. This time around, I was a senior actor and I asked the production company for a letter of consent. Then I realised that we have cell phones now and also recorded it."

Adding that he doesn't like doing things without the consent of his colleagues, Tahil explained that at the end of the day, the blame comes on the person who is shown on screen.

PHOTO: ZEENEWS

The Soldier actor then recalled a similar chilling incident from 25 years ago about how a rape scene was going to be filmed. He stated, "The director, whose name I won’t take, actually told me, ‘When you’re doing the scene, tear the girl’s clothes apart. Do this and that, but we won’t tell her’."

Tahil flatly refused and told the film-maker that it was an immoral thing to do. He added, "The girl was new and she had to make a living. I called the girl and said, ‘Do you know this is what they’re planning to do?’ The director was aghast and almost ran away. The girl was so upset. She burst into tears and ran into a room."

PHOTO: DESI MARTINI

Later, the director reprimanded Tahil for ruining the shooting schedule for the day but he retorted that it was horrible to not inform the girl of the scene. The Baazigar star then took it upon himself to speak to her and get her consent. He made sure that she had full knowledge of whatever would happen in the scene and said that he will only proceed if she expresses her full consent.

However, the actor was unable to film her permission because the director was responsible for the camera. He commented, "We didn't have mobile phones back then and the raw stock camera would be under the director's jurisdiction only. He would never film the girl's consent, so we told her that there will be nothing that wasn’t planned or out of her comfort zone. We then starting filming but for many years after that, I didn’t do such scenes, until now."

PHOTO: DAILY SOCIAL

Tahil also pointed out that in Hollywood, the actresses make sure that there's a contract that explains whatever is expected from them in terms of exposure. He added, "It’s about time we respect artists’ and women’s rights. It should be a woman’s call to only do whatever she’s comfortable with.”

TV bigwig Alok Nath accused of rape by veteran producer

When asked if he was surprised to hear about the allegations against Alok Nath - who he has worked with in the past - the Darr star replied that he was not. He then concluded, "I’m only a part of a film. I’m not the director or the producer. I sure have seen exploitation at every level and it's not just sexual. But with the new generation of film-makers, I’m happy and relieved to say that the atmosphere is much better."

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