Dharma Issues FIRST Statement On Sexual Misconduct Claims Against Homebound DOP Pratik Shah
Last Updated:
Dharma Productions responds to allegations against Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah, citing zero-tolerance policy and no POSH complaints during his tenure.
Cinematographer Pratik Shah, known for his work on acclaimed titles like Homebound (directed by Neeraj Ghaywan), Jubilee (by Vikramaditya Motwane), and CTRL, has come under public scrutiny following allegations of inappropriate behavior. The accusations surfaced after filmmaker Abhinav Singh took to social media, describing Shah as 'emotionally abusive" and 'highly manipulative," citing testimonies from multiple women.
In light of the controversy, Dharma Productions, which backed Homebound, issued an official statement. The studio reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of misconduct or sexual harassment. They clarified that Shah was engaged as a freelance cinematographer for a brief period and that his association with the project has since ended.
According to the statement, during Shah's tenure, no formal complaints were filed against him with the production's Internal Committee under the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy. Dharma also emphasized its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all collaborators.
Meanwhile, Shah, who was recently spotted at the Cannes Film Festival with the Homebound team, has deactivated his Instagram account following the emergence of these allegations.
Abhinav Singh—known for his short films Sita (starring Shriya Pilgaonkar) and Yatri Kripya Dhyan De (featuring Shaheer Sheikh and Shweta Basu Prasad)—shared on record that several women had come forward to him with personal accounts of Shah's behavior.
Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter India revealed that similar concerns had surfaced years earlier. A young female cinematographer reportedly contacted a senior member of the Indian Women Cinematographers' Collective (IWCC), claiming Shah had asked her for a nude photo during a professional exchange over Instagram. Sources confirm that the matter was brought to the attention of the collective and prompted informal inquiries within the IWCC at the time.
As the situation unfolds, more voices are expected to come forward. Shah has not publicly responded to the allegations as of this writing.
First Published:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Geopolitics scores but other influencer contents take a hit amid Bangla turmoil
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: From a noticeable dip in viewership from Bangladesh to a marked increase in hate comments, Bengal's content creators have encountered significant changes amidst the ongoing volatility in Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh relations. During the Aug uprising, content creators observed a drop in viewership from Bangladesh. While some managed to regain their audience, many continue to report persistent declines. In a bid to attract more engagement, several creators recently pivoted to producing more content focused on geopolitics. The escalating cross-border tensions have led to a surge in hate comments. Interestingly, this phenomenon has resulted in heightened viewership, greater audience engagement, and increased revenues for the creators. For many YouTubers, political tensions often lead to restrictions on the flow of media and content, directly affecting the reach and accessibility of creators and their material. Digital creator Zeeshan Ali, who runs a channel with 71K subscribers on Instagram, was badly hit. "I have a good following in Bangladesh, and they would visit the food joints I recommended once they visited Kolkata. After the uprising, the reach went. According to the trend, I should have 90K subscribers by now. Unfortunately, people from Bangladesh started unfollowing me. They are not keen on watching entertainment at all and are busy surfing content related to politics and conflict," he said. Actor and content creator Aparajita Ghosh, who presents podcasts on YouTube, expressed certainty that the viewership of her content would be double if the Indo-Bangladesh relationship had not become strained. "Any content I shared earlier would receive so much love from Bangladesh. People would generously comment. After the uprising, I hosted a podcast called Off Screen With Aparajita Ghosh. I am surprised that there is not a single comment from Bangladesh. I am sure the viewership would have been double, had this podcast been shared at least a year back," Ghosh stated. Aritra Banerjee, who has 176K subscribers on YouTube, faced the heat when the watch hours of his videos dipped during the Aug uprising in Bangladesh. "Bangladesh is a big market in terms of our viewership. The internet services were down during the Aug uprising. While my subscriber base remained the same, the watch hours dipped by 25% then. Once the internet connections resumed, the viewership was back," Banerjee said. "My show is about ghosts, and their viewership in Bangladesh remains steady at 11% regardless of any political developments. Ghosts are a different ballgame altogether, but I noticed several content creators who never engaged in geopolitics previously now produced three videos instead of one per day to take advantage of the increased viewer interest.," said Gourab Tapadar, whose 'Pretkotha' channel has 883K subscribers. Recent times have seen a surge in the number of hate comments for Indian content, with hyperactive trolls having a field day. Sharmila Maiti, who currently has 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube, experienced a 60% increase in hate comments on her channel. "People often watch content which they absolutely hate. They watch it to ridicule or troll. Last week, I posted a vlog with an interview of a meritorious student. Among the 600 comments I got, 550 were from Bangladesh. Most of them were very critical," Maiti stated. Such hate comments are not overtly detrimental for a channel as they help generate the engagement necessary for revenue.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Zach Werenski and Odette Peters are soaking up sun-kissed luxury in Athens as part of their romantic European getaway
Image Via IG/odette_peters In less sporty terms, Zach Werenski and his fiancée Odette Peters are kissing these moments of calm away with an indulgent European sojourn. Away from the sightseeing, it's about celebrating love, companionship, and luxury. The couple's adventure is the perfect blend of fun and fashion: documenting moments of their trip that showcase their mutual love for travel and bonding, right before the big day. Zach Werenski and Odette Peters are catching up on some rest in Athens after touring Switzerland and Germany Having explored the picturesque towns of Central Europe, Zach Werenski and Odette Peters landed in Athens to stretch their romantic holiday a bit more. With its coastline and modern history, this Greek capital had all the splendor as a couple as they moved on into the next chapter of their pre-wedding adventure. They checked in at the famed Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel, looking out over the serene Saronic Gulf and well suited for travelers seeking high-end solitude and tranquility. Image Via IG/odette_peters Odette threw yet another window for her followers into their Athenian escape, via Instagram stories. One of the shots showed the coastline in all its glory and glamour as luxury yachts floated under the sky of soul-good azure. From that elevated view, white sunbeds and umbrellas marked the edge of the glistening sea below, flanking the grandeur of the resort. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Carrodilla La Puntilla (ver precio) Verisure Undo Another story gave a glimpse of an even more intimate look: wooden decks lined with cushy lounge chairs aptly awaiting their lazy sun-deprived guests. Image Via IG/odette_peters The Greece leg followed a scenic tour through Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany, enjoying the culture, cuisine, and heritage of Europe. Each stop added another memory to their romantic sojourn, acting as both escape and a quiet celebration for their upcoming nuptials. Odette had also previously celebrated another milestone at a snug little bridal shower organized with family and close friends. Dressed in white lace, she frolicked around floral arrangements and entertaining bridal games, New York City being the backdrop to her bridal fittings, where she finalized her gown (after knocking on quite a few designer shops) with Jaxon James Couture. Also Read: Zach Werenski turns injury into inspiration with powerful Columbus comeback Zach Werenski and Odette Peters are making timeless memories at each stop on their itinerary that reflects the heart of their bonds. Now on their elegant European tour, right before the wedding, this is more than a vacation—this is an homage to their journey of love and the adventures waiting to be lived.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Chris Hughes posts then deletes intimate photo of him kissing JoJo Siwa in bed: ‘Sleeping beauty'
Chris Hughes stirred the internet by posting and then deleting an intimate photo of him kissing JoJo Siwa (born Joelle Joanie Siwa) on her forehead while in bed together. On Sunday, the 32-year-old fueled romance rumours with the Dance Moms star by sharing a selfie on Instagram, in which they appeared to be sleeping together. Although Hughes swiftly deleted the photo, it has since been making rounds on social media. In the now-viral picture, he held Siwa's head as he planted a kiss on her forehead. The television personality was shirtless as the 22-year-old dancer rested her hand on his chest. 'Sleeping beauty,' he captioned the post, per Mirror. Hughes' since-deleted post comes amid the growing romance rumours about him and Siwa. The duo first sparked dating speculations after bonding on Celebrity Big Brother UK. During an April episode, the Karma singer admitted that she was no longer a lesbian. 'I feel so queer,' she said. Siwa was in a relationship with Kath Ebbs at the time. However, they parted ways following the former's departure from the hit reality show. While it was rumoured that they broke up over the dancer's close bond with Hughes, she denied the claims in a May cover story for Us Weekly. 'We still speak all the time, obviously, naturally,' Siwa said of her relation with Hughes at the time, adding, 'Now to be out of the house, we just exist, and it is what it is. We're happy, and we have each other. It's a great little special friendship that we have.'
