Sajid Khan Steps Down as Housefull 4 Director; Akshay Kumar Asks Producers to Cancel Shoot
In the wake of the sexual harassment allegations against him and Akshay Kumar’s intention to cancel Housefull 4’s shoot, Sajid Khan has quit his upcoming film.
MUMBAI, OCT 12, 2018; Sajid Khan has announced that he is stepping down as the director of Housefull 4, in the wake of sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by three women.
The filmmaker announced his exit from the project in an official statement on his Twitter account.
He wrote: “In the wake of the allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producer and the stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post. Till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth, I request my friend in the media to kindly not pass the judgment till the truth is out.” (sic)
Taking into cognizance the serious nature of allegations, Housefull 4 lead actor Akshay Kumar, who just wrapped up the Jaisalmer schedule of the film, also took to Twitter to ask its producers to “cancel the shoot until further investigation”.
Akshay’s statement comes minutes after his wife Twinkle Khanna’s tweet, urging the makers of Housefull to take a firm stance on the issue.
“Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on,” she tweeted.
Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on.
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 12, 2018
So far, actor Rachel White, assistant director Saloni Chopra and journalist Karishma Upadhyay have leveled sexual abuse charges against Sajid, sharing their horror stories on social media.
The #MeToo movement has rocked Bollywood ever since Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar last month of sexually harassing her while filming a dance sequence for 2008 film Horn OK Pleassss.
After reading the allegations against the filmmaker, his sister and popular filmmaker Farah Khan has issued a rather sombre statement.
This is a heartbreaking time for my family.We have to work through some very difficult issues. If my brother has behaved in this manner he has a lot to atone for.I don’t in any way endorse this behavior and Stand in solidarity with any woman who has been hurt.
— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) October 12, 2018
