One of Bollywood’s biggest filmmakers, Rajkumar Hirani, was recently accused of sexual harassment by an assistant director.

According to reports, the woman mentioned that Hirani sexually abused her multiple times over a period of 6 months. This was allegedly during the post-production of Sanju between March and September 2018

As per reports by HuffPost India, the woman sent an email marking Anupama Chopra, Abhijat Joshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and more.

The email allegedly said:

“I remember forming these words on my lips “Sir. This is wrong…Because of this power structure. You being the absolute power and me being a mere assistant, a nobody –  I will never be able to express myself to you. My mind, body and heart were grossly violated that night and for the next 6 months. I had no choice but to be polite to him. It was unbearable but the reason I endured it all, until I couldn’t, was because I didn’t want my job to be taken away from me, and work to be questioned. Ever. I was worried that if I left midway, it would be impossible to find another job in this industry if he were to speak badly about my work. Because if Hirani said I wasn’t good, everybody would listen. My future would be in jeopardy.”

While the accused, Hirani has denied all claims, Anupama Chora has come out in support of the woman. She reportedly mentioned in an email:

“I’ve met the complainant twice. Both times, I have offered my full support and recommended that she take the complaint to a legal body or a neutral party since we cannot be arbitrators or judges on this. We also offered to set up an ICC at VCF. She stayed at our house for two nights. We also provided the number of an expert on the issue so she could talk to a professional. She said she needed time to think through how she will take it forward.  I did not want in any way to pressurise her or steer her in any direction. As Vinod and I told her then, she has our full support and we are fully respectful of whatever decision she has taken.”

In response to the allegations, Hirani’s lawyers allegedly stated that,

“Our client Mr. Rajkumar Hirani has instructed us to state that he has granted you inspection of the written communications twice, the second time being today, when the same were organised in chronological sequence, pointing out the written communications from the “complainant” in context of the timelines of the allegations made by the ”complainant” resulting in your questions. It should now be absolutely clear to you that the allegations made by the ”complainant” are not only false, but are malicious and defamatory.”

Hopefully, justice will be served.