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Since the Justice Hema Committee Report was released, numerous Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu actors have revealed terrible sexual assault and harassment incidents. Now, actress Shilpa Shinde claims a Hindi filmmaker sexually attacked her early in her career.

In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Shilpa Shinde said she was urged to seduce a director during an audition. She said she was “very innocent” and consented to perform the scenario. After the scenario deteriorated, she realized the producer was breaking bounds and pushed him away before rushing out.

It was amid my struggles in 1998–99. They instructed me, ‘Aap yeh kapde pehno aur yeh scene karo’ (wear these garments and perform this scene). I didn’t wear them. He said I had to seduce him as my employer in the scenario. I performed the scenario because I was innocent. I was terrified when he attempted to push himself on me. I shoved him away and fled. Security saw and asked me to leave immediately. They expected me to fuss and ask for rescue, she said.

The Bigg Boss alumnus did not identify the producer. “He was a Hindi filmmaker. I agreed to perform the part since he was an actor, she added, “I’m not lying, but I cannot take his name. His children are younger than me, therefore, naming him would hurt them too.”

Shilpa reported seeing the producer again years later. “After a few years, I met him again and he was kind. He didn’t recognize me and gave me a film part. No, I declined. His memory of me is remains blank.”

The actress, who became famous with Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!, said many others have had similar experiences. These things happen to everyone. Some have fled like me. We’ve discussed it as performers, and others have told me they’ve had similar experiences with famous people.

Shilpa said, “When people talk about sexual harassment, I strongly believe that yes, you may have been approached, but you also have the choice to say no. You may opt out. Everyone experiences this.”