News Desk |
Popular musician and Indian Idol judge was removed from the show following the allegation of sexual harassment. The sexual harassment allegations against the celebrity forced the Sony Entertainment to take the decision.
According to ANI, Anu Malik will no longer be a part of Indian Idol 10. “Anu Malik is no longer a part of Indian Idol jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule & we’ll invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal & Neha to judge the extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10: Sony Entertainment Television #MeToo,” read the tweet.
Had to go back to my worst memory as a teenage girl today to write this and speak up – its now or never. This is my #MeToo and have to warn young girls about #AnuMalik & let you know your #TimesUp @IndiaMeToo
Thank you @sonamohapatra for speaking up about him & supporting this pic.twitter.com/e261pGQyEq— Shweta Pandit (@ShwetaPandit7) October 17, 2018
Last week Indian singer Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of harassing her when she was a 15-year old schoolgirl. In a tweet posted, Pandit recalled an encounter with Malik that she called was a terrible experience. She further said that it took her a long time to recover from the mental depression she endured in the aftermath of the incident.
“It has taken a lot in me to open up this wound again and speak up against this pedophile and sexual predator,” she says. Shweta stated she was called by Anu Malik’s manager for work. She reached his office with her mother but there came a time when she was alone with him in a recording room.
Read more: Some names in sexual harassment cases shocked A.R. Rahman
“He asked me to sing something without any music as he wanted to hear my voice. I remember I sang the title song of Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega as a voice test for this man. I sang it well so he said, “I’ll give you this song with Sunidhi and Shaan but first give me a kiss now”. He then smiled, what I’d recall the evilest grin I’ve seen. I went numb and pale in the face.”
She added, “I am sure many singers have been exploited by him as he is a known name for doing this to singers. I’d urge those singers/women to share their stories too.” Shweta Pandit urged other women to speak up against his behavior since he is already known a “serial predator”.
It is not only Shweta Tiwari but several other women including singer Alisha Chinoy has accused Anu Malik of sexual misconduct.