No distributor is interested in Alok Nath starrer 'Main Bhi'
In an interesting turn of events, the upcoming #MeToo-themed Bollywood film Main Bhi is now being shunned by distributors. According to the film's producer, Imran Khan, distributors are keeping an arm's distance from the movie and refusing to buy it, because of rape accused Alok Nath, who plays the role of a judge in the film. Here are more details.
Khan claims shooting was completed before the allegations surfaced
Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Khan said, "We wrapped up our film last year in July, long before the allegations against Alok Nath ji were made public and he was banned. A year ago, any producer would have cast him in such a role." Main Bhi deals with child molestation and Nath reportedly plays a judge who "takes a strong stand against sexual harassment." Talk about irony!
Injustice to a small producer like me: Khan
"He has worked with Subhash Ghai, Yash Chopra, and Karan Johar, so where have I erred in casting him? I've approached so many distributors and advertisement agencies, but distributors are not buying my film due to him," Khan said. "It's an injustice to a small producer like me who in all fairness cast Alok Nath ji at the start of 2018," he added.
'Main Bhi' about Bhopal slum boys who faced sexual abuse
Meanwhile, the film details the lives of boys living in the slums of Bhopal, where the movie was filmed, who face sexual abuse. The film has been directed by Nasir Khan and has Khalid Siddiqui and Sonali Raut in the lead roles.
Nath was seen in 'De De Pyaar De' trailer recently
Separately, many were outraged by Nath's appearance in De De Pyaar De's trailer, released earlier this month. Actor Tanushree Dutta, who kick-started Bollywood's #MeToo movement, called the film's lead actor Ajay Devgn "morally bankrupt" for starring alongside Nath instead of having him replaced. In response, Devgn said he still supports #MeToo, but replacing Nath would've been "near impossible," citing scheduling and budget reasons.
Context: Nath was accused of rape by Vinta Nanda
Back in October 2018, Nath emerged as one of the biggest names out of Bollywood's #MeToo movement when writer-director Vinta Nanda accused him of raping her 19 years ago. Nanda's accusation was followed by several other accounts of harassment. A case was registered, however, Nath, who denied the allegations, was granted anticipatory bail by a Mumbai sessions court in January.
