Desperate to get back to normal life now: Vinta Nanda
Writer-director Vinta Nanda, who has accused actor Alok Nath of rape and sexual harassment, says now she "desperately" wants to return to normal life. Writer of TV series like Sheila and Tara, Nanda gave an account of the alleged sexual assault in a Facebook post on October 8, soon after actor Tanushree Dutta's complaint of harassment against Nana Patekar fuelled India's #MeToo movement.
My trigger obviously was the atmosphere, said the director
Speaking at a panel discussion on #MeToo at the Mumbai Curtain Raiser of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival, which will run from January 24 to January 28, the director said she got the courage to call out Nath after she realized it was for the first time that men in Bollywood were standing up for women. "My trigger obviously was the atmosphere," said Nanda.
'I give Tanushree all the credit' for starting the movement
"I was very certain I will be heard and supported because the movement had gathered momentum, started by Tanushree. I give her all the credit in the Bollywood space, as she took on very big people," said the director yesterday.
First time in Bollywood when men were supporting women: Nanda
"When I saw the industry was supporting Tanushree, CINTAA was coming out openly and speaking for her... It was the first time in Bollywood where I saw men stand up and speak for women," Nanda said. She added that she "went to sleep" after writing about the alleged sexual harassment on social media and woke up to realize that things won't be the same.
'For me, it was over. I was relieved'
"For me, it was over. I had held back for so many years. I was relieved but I had given sleepless nights to everyone. By the time I woke up, from my building to the office building, there were media vans parked all over the place," said Nanda. "I woke up to the fact that now I've to live up to it," she added.
Nath booked under IPC Section 376 (rape), has filed civil-suit
"This is the last panel I'm saying 'yes' to because I just have to get back to normal life now," said Nanda. Last month, Mumbai Police registered a rape-case against Nath following Nanda's complaint. He has been booked under IPC's Section 376 (rape). Nath has refuted the allegations and filed a civil-suit against Nanda and is seeking Re. 1 as damages for alleged defamation.
