Filmmaker Hansal Mehta is demanding action against cinematographer Pratik Shah, who has been accused of harassment by several women. Mehta took to social media platform X to express his thoughts, emphasizing that silence allows abuse to thrive. He wrote, “Abuse flourishes in silence. It flourishes in fear. Violent behavior by those in positions of power must be thoroughly investigated.”
Mehta stressed that the culture of accountability needs to be promoted, particularly in creative workplaces. He believes that no art, film, or script is worth compromising someone’s safety or mental well-being. Mehta urged that the victims need a system that listens and acts, and that the culture of accountability should be improved, not dismissed.
The accusations against Pratik Shah, who worked on the film “Homebound,” have sparked a heated debate. Filmmaker Abhinav Singh shared a post on Instagram, alleging that Shah emotionally abuses people and misrepresents conversations.
Dharma Productions, the production house behind “Homebound,” has issued a statement saying that they have a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and misconduct. According to them, Pratik Shah was a freelancer on the project, and his contract has ended. The production house claimed that they did not receive any complaints against Shah during his time on the film.
Mehta’s statement highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and promoting a culture of accountability. He emphasized that abuse is not limited to one gender and can take many forms, including mental, emotional, and psychological abuse. Mehta’s demand for investigation and action against Pratik Shah has sparked a conversation about the need for safer and more respectful workplaces in the film industry.