Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association sends show-cause notice to Vikas Bah post assault accusations
The ghost of sexual harassment allegations against'Queen' fame filmmaker Vikas Bahl which were first reported in 2015 has once again hit him hard. The director has been accused of sexually harassing a co-worker from production company 'Phantom' at a film party in Goa. Now, Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice to the filmmaker. The IFTDA has asked the director to respond to the notice in a week’s time, failing which he will be expelled from the organisation.
“We are specifically disturbed and enraged due to the alleged charges against IFTDA’s member director Vikas Bahl, confirmed and endorsed by his own partners of Phantom Films namely Anurag Kashyap, Madhu Mantena, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Neeraj Ghaywan. In the light of the events, IFTDA has taken a stern stand against Vikas Bahl by issuing a show cause notice and asked him to respond within one week’s time failing which his membership will be terminated,” IFTDA’s statement read.
IFTDA notice to Vikas Bahl
IFTDA notice to Vikas Bahl
Meanwhile, Vikas Bahl will no longer be associated with Kabir Khan's "83", days after a woman employee at Phantom Films reiterated her allegations of molestation against the director. He was on board as one of the producers.
Last year, the woman employee at Phantom Films, which had Bahl as one of the partners along side Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, had alleged that Bahl behaved inappropriately with her during a trip to Goa.
There were reports that the "Queen" director was dropped from any further associations with "83", the forthcoming film, starring Ranveer Singh, which chronicles India's iconic maiden World Cup win.
When asked, Khan confirmed the news to PTI, "Yes, Vikas Bahl will not have any credit on '83'.
