Now Alisha Chinai joins the #metoo chorus against Anu Malik

Alleges every word said against the singer is true. Others label him serial offender

Mumbai Oct 22: Ghosts of the past have come calling again on singer Anu Malik’s door as Alisha Chinai, who first spoke out against sexual harassment by the singer; spoke again on Monday in support of the women making similar charges against the singer of late. Chinai, who recorded several hit songs with Malik during the 1990s, has claimed that every word said and written about the Bollywood music-composer being a serial offender where women are concerned is “true”.

In her statement to The Asian Age Chinai stated on Monday, that she stands by all the women who have spoken up against Malik. “Every word said and written about Anu Malik is true. I stand by all the women who have finally spoken up. May they find peace and closure in their lives,” Chinai was quoted as saying.

It was during the release of Chinai’s hit track Made in India, the singer had accused Malik of molesting her. The two did not work together for several years, only to reunite in 2003 with Ishq Vishk.

Recently, singer Shweta Pandit has also accused Malik of harassing her when she was 15. Unloading her #metoo story in a long Twitter post, Pandit recounted her ordeal and labeled Malik a “paedophile”. She also thanked singer Sona Mohapatra for calling him out and urged others who have been exploited by him in the past, to speak up. Mohapatra accused Malik of being a “serial offender” and alleged that he would call her at odd hours.

Sony Entertainment has reportedly fired Malik as judge from the singing reality show Indian Idol by Sony Entertainment Television in the wake of the numerous allegations of sexual harassment that have been leveled against him by multiple women. Malik has been on the panel since of the reality show since day one.
On Saturday, two more women came forward to accuse Malik of sexual harassment. The first woman recalled that the composer “rubbed his body” against her and when she expressed shock at his behavior, he apologized meekly.

Another woman, an aspiring singer, has charged Malik with harassment and alleged that she was approached to participate on Indian Idol 10 as a wild card entry but she refused the offer because Malik had sexually harassed her seven years ago.

Malik has however dismissed as “ridiculous” allegations made against him by Pandit. He also denied knowing Mohapatra. There is no comment from his office on the latest development.

Edited by Shirin Abbas