After Tanushree Dutta accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual misconduct, a #MeToo campaign has started in India, with several victims coming out and naming the perpetrators. 

One of the names that came out recently is that of former co-founder of Phantom Films, accused Vikas Bahl. 

Kangana Ranaut accused Vikas of sexual harassment and said that his behaviour with her during Queen’s shooting was inappropriate.

Kangana Ranaut had earlier said that she believed the victim in her claims against Vikas Bahl, adding that, “Every time we met, socially greeted and hugged each other, he (Vikas Bahl) would bury his face in my neck, hold me really tight and breathe in the smell of my hair. It took me great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace. He’d say ‘I love how you smell K’.”

However, the issue has now taken shape into a different controversy altogether, with the Queen actress hitting out at Sonam Kapoor.

While speaking at Vogue We the Women summit in Bengaluru, Sonam Kapoor lauded Tanushree for showing courage in speaking up against the wrong done to her.

Sonam was then asked about Kangana’s #MeToo story, on which she said that sometimes it is difficult to take the actor seriously as she says many things. 

“I think Kangana wrote something. Kangana is obviously Kangana Ranaut. She says a lot of stuff and sometimes is hard to take her seriously. I love the fact that she has spunk and she says what she believes. I really respect for that. I don’t know him, I don’t know the situation. If what is written what is written is true, then it’s disgusting and awful. If it’s true, then they should be punished for it,” she said.

However, this did not go well with Kangana, who in an interview to Pinkvilla said, “What does she mean by saying, ‘it’s hard to believe Kangana’? When I am sharing my Me Too story, who gives her a right to judge me? So, Sonam Kapoor has the license of trusting some women and some she won’t. What makes her so unsure of my claims? I am known to be an articulate person and I have represented my country in many international summits. I am called as a thought and youth influencer to these summits, I am not known because of my dad I have earned my place and credibility after struggling for a decade.”

Kangana, in fact raised issues like nepotism and even questioned Sonam’s acting abilities. 

“She isn’t known to be a great actress, neither she has the reputation of being a good speaker. What gives these filmy people right to take digs at me? I will demolish each one of them,” she added.

At the very same event, Sonam Kapoor had called out Vikas Bahl and spoken in support of the victims. 

“This whole thing at happened at Phantom. I find it disgusting. If you read that article, it is disgusting. And I know these people, I know all of them. I don’t know how I will deal with these people. 

All I know is I believe this woman. I find this behaviour despicable and cowardly. When my father read these articles (Tanushree and Phantom stories), he said whatever is happening to these men, they deserve it. I come from a background like that. I said I know dad; then why is nobody saying anything or doing anything. ‘He said: beta, the world is such but we need to change it.’ So, I mean, even if it is one person saying something, it makes a difference,” she said.

The #MeToo campaign has created an uproar and we hope that the victims are served justice and the perpetrators are punished.