Mahesh Bhatt Appears Before NCW, Issues Statement In Sexual Harassment Case: ‘As Father Of Three Girls, I Have The Highest Regard For Cause’

A few days, the filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s team also released a statement saying the director did not receive any such notice or summon by the NCW. Read on.

New Delhi: A Social activist and Founder of People Against Rapes in India, Yogita Bhayana lately posted a video on social media accusing a person named Sunny Verma of duping and exploiting young girls aspiring to work in the modelling industry. It has also served a notice to Esha Gupta and Mahesh Bhatt. Bollywood actress Esha Gupta had approached Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Irani seeking her intervention in notice issued by the NCW for accusing her name in the matter of exploiting girls. She also claimed that she only got to know about it through various tweets and had no clue about it. It is now Mahesh Bhatt who has responded to the accusations against him. He appeared before the National Commission for Women and said that as a father of three girls, he had the highest regard for the cause. Earlier his team rubbished the reports claiming that the director did not receive any such notice from NCW. The ‘Sadak 2’ director released a statement on Vishesh Films' Instagram handle saying that he applauds the NCW for taking up the noble cause of whistle blowing the vulnerability. The statement read, “I salute the National Commission for Women for taking up the noble cause of whistle blowing the vulnerability and exploitation of women by few miscreants who bring shame and disgrace to the entire industry. I appeared before the Hon'ble Commission today in context of the complaint filed by M Yogita Bhayana, Founder of People against Rapes in India against Mr. Sunny Verma, promoter of the company IMG Ventures. I was summoned to appear as my name and images were used by IMG Ventures for promotion of their event Mr. and Miss. Glamour 2020, scheduled to be held in November, 2020. I clarified to the Hon'ble Chairperson that while I was approached to attend this event as a Chief Guest, I had responded that in the current COVID 19 circumstances, I would not attend any event. I could give it a thought closer to November, depending on the circumstances at the relevant time. I have neither entered into an agreement nor received any monetary consideration for the event. Unfortunately, my name and images were picked up from social media and misused in relation to the event without my consent and authority. When I confronted them on this, they have apologized profusely and withdrawn all my images in association with the event. I am issuing this statement to make everyone aware that I have no association with IMG Ventures, Sunny Verma and Mr.and Miss. Glamour 2020 and my name and credibility should not be misused for promotion of the event to lure participation of others. I am 71 years of age and at this age, I believe in sharing knowledge and support social causes. As a father of three girls, I have the highest regard for the cause taken up by Ms. Yogita and the National Commission for Women and express my full cooperation for the crusade. Sd/- Mahesh Bhatt.”

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