Kriti Kharbanda has spoken out about sexual harassment
Budding Bollywood heroine Kriti Kharbanda does not shy away from talking about her experiences of sexual harassment.
And she has said that exposing herself on screen or even doing a porn film would be her prerogative as an actor – but would not give anyone the right to judge her.
Delhi girl Kriti is all set to straddle the current rage of small-town romcoms with her next release Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana opposite Rajkummar Rao, after making her Bollywood debut with the horror flick Raaz Reboot last year.
The actor has recently shared her unpleasant sexual experiences on social media as part of the #MeToo campaign.
The actor said: ‘A lot of us do not want to recall (an experience of sexual harassment) because we cannot get over the trauma. It grows within us like cancer. But I am completely okay talking about it.’
She recalled: ‘It happened to me when I was in the eighth standard. I was walking to my tuition class when a man suddenly rode past on a bike and slapped me hard on the butt. I fell face down and ended up hurting my chin.’
She went on: ‘Somehow, I could not bring myself to tell the truth at home. I told mom that I had tripped. Another time, I fell asleep on a flight and the gentleman behind suddenly put his hand on my waist. I twisted it sharply.’
Kriti felt sexual predators and trolls who engage in body-shaming were somewhat alike because they cannot handle the fact that the modern woman is emancipated enough to flaunt herself.
The Delhi girl is all set to straddle the current rage of small-town romcoms with her next release Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana opposite Rajkummar Rao
‘Trolls think we (women) will stop if they write what they wish. I am comfortable with my body. Showing cleavage or thighs or even doing a porn film is my choice. You are no one to tell me what to do. I don’t pay attention to trolls,’ she declared.
Talking about the #MeToo campaign, the 28-year-old lauded the effort but noted that the campaign was not necessarily reaching out to every woman who needs support.
‘A campaign like this needs to be discreet because many women are afraid to speak out. We need to reach out to such women at a personal level. There are women who cannot reveal their encounters on social media but may be going through such trauma regularly,’ Kriti said.
Kriti has been working in Telugu and Kannada films since 2009 and is single.
‘I have been single for two years now and am loving it. I was in a relationship for eight years, though I lied to the media and pretended to be single. Unfortunately, it had to end. Then, there was a Mumbai boy I dated but he was too dominating about what I wore and did. The relationship lasted for a couple of months,’ she said.
In her upcoming movie with Rajkummar, we see her in the role of a middle-class girl and Rao as the boy-next-door.
The two gradually fall for each other, but Kriti abandons him on the day of their wedding.
Rajinikanth and Kamal bond over ‘Mersal’
Kollywood’s biggest superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have been pitted against each other ever since they both expressed an interest in joining politics.
When Rajinikanth said at a recent event that stardom was not enough to be a successful politician, it was believed to be a jibe at his contemporary.
Even though Kamal Haasan went on to respond that his friendship with Rajinikanth is beyond clarifications, reports of their rivalry refuse to die down.
While Kamal Haasan (L) didn’t want movie to be re-censored, Rajinikanth lauded makers for addressing important issues
Amid these reports, Rajinikanth and Kamal have found common ground. The two actors are all praise for Vijay-starrer Mersal.
A complaint was filed on Monday against Kollywood actor Vijay for showing temples Centre’s schemes in bad light in Mersal – which has been in the news for its scenes which criticise GST, demonetisation and Digital India.
BJP leaders have demanded deletion of these scenes from director Atlee’s film.
Kamal Haasan tweeted in support of the Vijay-starrer: ‘Mersal was certified. Dont re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response. Dont silence critics. India will shine when it speaks. (sic)’
Rajinikanth, meanwhile, lauded the makers of Mersal for addressing an ‘important topic’ and also congratulated them. Meanwhile, Mersal has globally crossed the Rs 100-crore mark already.
Esha greets her Lakshmi post Diwali
Esha Deol and her husband Bharat Takhtani with their daughter
Bollywood actress Esha Deol and her businessman hubby Bharat Takhtani have been blessed with a baby girl.
Esha had delivered the child at Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital on October 20 but the family chose to make the news public only on Monday.
Photographers gathered outside the hospital to for a glimpse of the newborn on Monday morning, as Esha along with Bharat and her in-laws left for home after being discharged.
The couple revealed they have finalised a name for the baby but would make it known only at the naming ceremony, which is scheduled to happen soon.
Esha, who is seventies’ superstar Hema Malini’s elder daughter, has featured in several 2000s multistarrer hits including Dhoom, Yuva, No Entry, and Dus.
She married Takhtani in 2012 after a brief period of engagement.
A statement issued by Hema Malini’s official biographer Ram Kamal Mukherjee said: ‘Hemaji was extremely delighted to welcome Goddess Laxmi immediately after Diwali.’
She has reportedly put all professional commitments aside to be with daughter Esha for now. Esha has been busy with her role as a homemaker ever since she tied the knot with Takhtani. Her last Bollywood outing was the author-backed 2011 flop Tell Me O Kkhuda.
The film was directed and produced by her mother Hema Malini while her dad Dharmendra did a cameo in it.