Will work with Sajid Khan if he's acquitted from #MeToo case: Akshay Kumar

Sajid stepped down as 'Housefull 4' director when he was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women last year

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who stars in the upcoming Housefull 4, has made it clear that he will collaborate with film-maker Sajid Khan in future if the latter is acquitted of the sexual harassment charges levelled against him by multiple women last year, under #MeToo Movement, reported Hindustan Times.

Kumar was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of the film along with co-actors Riteish Deshmukh, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, Kriti Kharbanda, Chunky Pandey and Bobby Deol, besides the film's director Farhad Samji and producer Sajid Nadiadwala on Friday in Mumbai.

"I don't know exactly what has happened in his case but if everything goes well and if he is acquitted, I will surely work with him in the future," declared the actor.

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Earlier reports had suggested that Khan had directed 60% of the fourth part of the Housefull franchise before being asked to stepped down, so shouldn't he be given credit along with Samji?

"It is true that he has directed 60% of the film but this call has been taken by the studio (Fox Star)," explained Kumar.

It's been a year since #MeToo Movement started in Bollywood. Asked if he noticed any change, the Rowdy Rathore actor replied, "There have been a lot of changes. I think every other production company which I know - even in Sajid Nadidadwala's company nowadays - there is a officer who deals with sexual harassment cases. They make sure that nothing goes wrong. They are there to accept complaints and they know everything what is happening. There is a lot of security. We don't want any misbehaviour in our company or film sets."

PHOTO:FILE

Khan had directed the first two installments of the Housefull franchise and he was to direct the fourth film as well.

However, the director stepped down in October last year after he was accused of sexual harassment by three women, including upcoming actor Saloni Chopra. Samji came on board to finish the film. Besides two films in the Housefull series, Kumar has also collaborated with Khan on Heyy Babyy in the past.

Housefull 4 is an upcoming Indian reincarnation comedy scheduled to release on October 25.

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