Alok Nath will feature as a judge in a film titled #MaiBhi, ironically taking a stand against child molestation and sexual abuse in a film revolving around the MeToo movement, the Mumbai Mirror reported.
This comes shortly after writer-director Vinta Nanda, on October 8, 2018, accused Nath of sexually harassing and assaulting her twice about two decades ago in a long Facebook post. Two weeks later, the Mumbai police registered a rape case againt him under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code.
Around the same time, actors Sandhya Mridul and Deepika Amin also shared harrowing details of being harassed by Nath.
In light of the allegations, the Cine and TV Artistes Association expelled Nath from the body for not showing up before the executive committee.
He also ignored a notice sent by the Indian Film and Television Directors Association regarding Nanda’s allegations.
Two weeks later, Nath filed a civil defamation suit against Nanda, demanding a written apology and Rs 1 as compensation for tarnishing his public image. Subsequently, on January 5, the Mumbai sessions court granted him an anticipatory bail saying he may have been “falsely” accused of rape during the MeToo movement.
According to Scroll, the Federation of Women India Cine Employee, in February, issued him a six-month non-cooperative directive for not appearing before it for a hearing under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment guidelines.
Nath will now play a judge in a film on MeToo directed by Nasir Khan which also features Mukesh Khanna and Shahbaz Khan.
Confirming the news, Nath told Mumbai Mirror that the movie had been shot a while back and said, “Is there a problem? You sound sad that I’m doing a film. It’s a puny role for poor producers, let it release.”
Featured image credit: Facebook