In the wake of the #MeToo movement in India, producer Karim Morani has been accused of sexually harassing a Delhi-based aspiring actress as admitted by her during an interview with a leading news channel. Morani allegedly drugged, raped and blackmailed the 25-year-old woman, who has also filed a case against the producer, currently out on bail.
In her interview, the woman detailed her harrowing experience as she told the channel, “Morani came home around 7pm with a bottle of wine. I didn’t drink but he forced me to drink. Next thing I know, I wake up at 4am. I was numb and shocked. Physically and mentally, I was in a state of shock. Karim was not there. I saw there were marks on my body when I woke up.”
She was 21 when the incident happened while she added that she was familiar with Morani. Not that she didn’t confront Morani after the incident, but it was casually dismissed by the producer as he “laughed” about it. In fact, she was also stalked by Morani and threatened to get her killed.
“Morani told me he clicked my pictures. He said if you try and call anyone, I’ll get you killed by the underworld. Morani was linked to the underworld. He called me again in October 2015. He wanted me to go to Ramoji City. He would blackmail me saying he’d get me eliminated by the underworld. I don’t doubt that he’s influential. I’ve seen it that he’s influential and I know he could have eliminated me,” she added.
In January 2017, she filed a complaint at Hyderabad’s Rachakonda while police officials registered a case against Morani. He has produced films including Chennai Express, Ra.One and Happy New Year, starring Shah Rukh Khan in the principal role, while she also criticized the actor for working with Morani.
“I don’t know how SRK could work with him. I don’t want to drag SRK into this but how can such an icon work with this 2G accused and support a man like this. Nobody spoke out about me or backed me up. How can top actors like SRK work with him?” she added.
The #MeToo movement in India escalated after Tanushree Dutta’s accusation against Nana Patekar where several women outed filmmakers and actors as well as alleged sexual predators. So far, Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Vikas Bahl and Rajat Kapoor have been accused of sexual harassment.
