#MeToo: Film-maker Jami says he was raped by a Pakistani media 'giant'

'My body froze and I couldn't help even when I was taller then him,' Jami recalls horrific details in series of...


Entertainment Desk October 21, 2019
PHOTO: THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

On Sunday night, film-maker Jami broke the silence and came forward with his own #MeToo story. In a series of Tweets, the director recalled how he was 'raped' by a Pakistani media industry bigwig and the trauma that followed.

The Operation 021 director took to Twitter and shared why he has been a very strong supporter of sexual harassment victims.

TRIGGER WARNING

"Why I am so strongly supporting #MeToo?" Jami shared. "Because, I know exactly how it happens now - inside a room, then outside courts and inside courts."

PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE PHOTO: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

"How a survivor hides, confides... because I was brutally raped by a very powerful person in our media world. A giant actually and yes I'm taller than him."

Talking about how even with a bigger posture than his assailant, Jami continued that he couldn't retaliate.

"I froze. Not sure why. Yes, it really happens and happened to me. Till this day, 13 years have passed and I curse myself why I didn't take his eyes out," Jami went on. "But I was so close to this guy, a friend, doing his mega shoots for his mega high-end books and museum launches, maybe that's why my system shut down," said Jami

"Or I couldn't believe what is going on."

The director said he confided in a few close friends but no one took him seriously.

"I told them so many times with the name of this tycoon but (they took me) as if I'm a joker or something. Yes, high-end friends, top-end friends in media didn't do anything," added Jami.

PHOTO: HARRIS JAVAID

He spent six months or so in therapy with medication but nothing seemed to work. Jami then shared he had to leave the country to 'reboot.'

"He came to my father's funeral also and instead of crying for Papa (who got to know before dying that I'm destroyed), I was hiding inside my own home - telling mother who was also busy with her pain - to run out and stop him from coming in," the Moor director wrote.

"Till this day, I don't have the courage to come out and name him. It is super tough. I know my own buddies will laugh and joke(at me)."

Jami shared that he is "writing this now because #MeToo is under attack and I'm ready to partially vomit out my own experience. It's all true what the victims say and how they say, or hide. It's all an exact same pattern."

Talking about a recent case of a college professor committing suicide on alleged claims of harassment, Jami added, "So one wrongful death doesn't mean all victims are fake and liars. I'm pissed that they are attacking the movement and victims. So, I'm coming here today after 13 or so years to say 99.99% survivors are telling the truth always. No doubt ever!"

PHOTO: HARRIS JAVAID

Jami further went on to add that he never use to fight or (get) this angry on social media, but after the incident, he has no clue how to shut up now for the victims and survivors.

The film-maker shared how his personality has changed in a few months, "it's very erratic the way I talk but I have promised myself, I will stand for all #MeToo (victims)."

The director who has aggressively supported #MeToo related protests such as the one against the Lux Style Awards concluded by saying that he knows the consequences of his revelations but it was important for him to share since the legitimacy of the movement was being questioned.

"I know, now they all will attack me as well. 'Oh, why you stayed quiet till now? Rape kur deita na usska pulut kur (You should've raped him as well," he said. "But, its time."

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COMMENTS (2)

Bunny Rabbit | 4 years ago | Reply One must appreciate his honesty and courage to come out .
Ab | 4 years ago | Reply I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. I can't imagine the pain!. Thank you for coming out in support of the cause. I know so many people who just brush it aside as it doesn't exists or just can't happen. The denial is so strong that it confounds me! Wishing you the best!
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