Singer Meesha Shafi accuses Ali Zafar of sexual harassment, Twitter reacts
Actor-singer Ali Zafar wrote a post on Twitter in which he said that he would take this forward legally and will not disrespect the movement by contesting personal vendetta on social media.
“I feel betrayed by his behaviour and his attitude,” wrote Meesha Shafi
Ali Zafar, the Pakistani actor-singer, has responded to allegations of sexual harassment, made by a former colleague on Thursday. Zafar had been accused of physically harassing a person whom he had shared the stage with on numerous occasions in the past. He wrote, “I am deeply aware and in support of the global #Metoo movement and what it stands for. I am the father of a young girl and a young boy, a husband to a wife and son to a mother. I am a man that has stood up for myself, my family, my colleagues and friends countless times in the face of slander, defamation and general unkindness. I will do the same today. I have nothing to hide, silence is not an option.”
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018
He further added, “I categorically deny any and all claims of harassment lodged against me by Ms *****. I intend to take this through the courts of law and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any allegations here, contesting personal vendetta on social media and in turn disrespecting the movement, my family, the industry and fans. Ultimately, I am a strong believer that the truth, always prevails.”
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) April 19, 2018
Meesha Shafi is an actress and singer of repute, having starred in several Pakistani serials and Mira Nair’s film The Reluctant Fundamentalist. She also had a role in the 2013 Bollywood film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, in which Ms Shafi was cast as a swimmer competing in the Olympics. Meesha Shafi’s best-known musical work includes a collaboration with singer Arif Lohar on the song Jugni.
After which se also tweeted:
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— Meesha Shafi (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
Ali Zafar has several Bollywood films on his resume and has worked with actresses like Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi, Katrina Kaif in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Taapsee Pannu in Chashme Baddoor, Parineeti Chopra in Kill Dil and Yami Gautam in Total Siyapaa.