Sonam Kapoor has once again found herself at the receiving end of heavy criticism for backing Rajkumar Hirani who has been accused of sexual harassment by Sanju's assistant director.
The woman, in her ordeal, has accused Hirani of sexually abusing her on multiple occasions for six months from March to September 2018 during the making of his last year's blockbuster film Sanju biopic which featured Ranbir Kapoor essaying the role of Sanjay Dutt. The woman had also informed Sanju co-producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra about the alleged misconduct in an email to him on November 3, 2018. In her email, the woman stated that on April 9, 2018 Hirani for the first time made an inappropriate remark to her, following which he sexually assaulted her at his home-office.
While actors like Dia Mirza, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi and Boney Kapoor spoken in support of Hirani and said that it would be wrong to jump to conclusions and to suddenly start looking at a person differently. And Sonam Kapoor, who played the role of Sanjay Dutt's girlfriend in Sanju, was no exception as well.
When Sonam was asked about the sexual harassment accusations levelled againt Hirani, she maintained that she is a huge supporter of the MeToo movement and said that everyone should "reserve judgement and be very responsible before we say anything more on this subject" to not derail the movement.
"I always want to believe a woman but suppose by chance, if it is not true, then how bad it will be for the movement, especially if it is somebody like Raju Hirani," Sonam was quoted as saying by PTI.
She further said, "I know Raju Hirani very well, I have known him for many years and I have huge respect for him as a filmmaker and as a man. I think we all should reserve judgement and be very responsible before we say anything more on this subject.. Because we don't need to derail this movement.
"This film (Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga) is important and it should not become about that. If I have to sit down and talk about it, I can talk about it at length but we need to be careful about the people we accuse and people whose side we take. You have to take side and I don't believe in sitting on the fence so I will take my side when I have to."
But her response to Hirani's allegations didn't go down well with many Twitter users who started calling the actress as the perfect example being a 'hypocrite' and having a 'biased' opinion.
Take a look at a few reactions pouring on Twitter about Sonam Kapoor's stand on Rajkumar Hirani's MeToo allegations.
Sonam Kapoor's "feminism" is flakier than the chicken puffs sold in Malad's bakeries. At least those puffs can be enjoyed with evening tea.
— Neerja | نیرجا ✨ (@neerjadeodhar) January 31, 2019
Sonam Kapoor saying she believes all women, just not when they're accusing the producer of her new film, and especially not when the film is as important as the movement, and anyway, the woman's probably lying https://t.co/SQvVaZ439T pic.twitter.com/92zwI0zdAs — Uday Bhatia (@yooday) January 30, 2019
Sonam Kapoor wants to 'reserve judgement' on Rajkumar Hirani, says we should be 'responsible' before saying anything https://t.co/itXWqur2BQ But this rule doesn't apply when the accused are not her friends #MeToo
— Rahul Sharma (@Biorahul) January 31, 2019
movement can wait... movie is more important. what if the woman is lying ? The great feminist Sonam Kapoor joins the list of Nandita Das . — Sameer (@Sameer59149846) January 31, 2019
Sonam kapoor should understand... That taking Mr Hirani's side won't give her films... I'm waiting to see what rk has to say... https://t.co/GbKxGkHl42
— MURAD kaTimeAYEGA (@RanveerandRowdy) January 31, 2019
Yeah agreed though! i think sonam kapoor is an important ally but yes, she does have a bit of a problem with surporting sexual assult victims — unapologetic b¡tch (@mayonistan) January 30, 2019
Oh @sonamakapoor. What have you gotten yourself into now? Hypocrisy at its best. #SonamKapoor #MeeToo pic.twitter.com/uIyUwO1owf
— Shamini.M.R (@Not_A_Shammer) January 31, 2019
Haha. It's more like a matter of convinience. Shout all #Metoo until one of your loved one (Male) gets harassed by the dirty women with hidden agenda. #sonamkapoor — S Mantri (@SMantri4) January 31, 2019
Shame on you #SonamKapoor . Shame on Bollywood. These A lister women from ruch, influential families are all protected. But what about the ones who don't have any protection or influence or backing. So sick to my stomach to hear this.
— Content (@HopePatel04) January 30, 2019
