Mumbai: Television actor Shilpa Shinde has responded strongly to the criticism she faced after admitting that the sexual harassment allegations she levelled against a producer nearly a decade ago were fabricated.
Her confession sparked outrage across the entertainment industry and social media, with many accusing her of discrediting and harming the cause of genuine survivors of harassment.
Instead of staying away from the spotlight amid the backlash, Shilpa has released a provocative video addressing her critics.
In the clip, she takes aim at several industry figures, including actress Hina Khan who had publicly condemned her remarks, and asserted that she refuses to be silenced despite the growing controversy surrounding her statements.
“I don’t know when people will stop gaining publicity using my name. Don’t board a moving train; you will get hurt. To gain publicity, you people already have your own illnesses and the deaths of your family members to talk about, so why do you need Shilpa Shinde? You are already heavily publicised,” Shilpa said.
She also questioned the television industry’s sudden outrage, asking why many of her colleagues are speaking out now when she largely stood alone during her highly publicised dispute with the show’s producers nearly a decade ago.
The actor stressed that her recent admission was not an attempt to gain sympathy or rewrite the narrative.
Instead, she said she chose to come clean because she could no longer live with the burden of the lie.
Defending her actions at the time, Shilpa claimed she felt trapped during the conflict and believed she had exhausted all other options.
Referring to the traditional Indian principle of Saam, Daam, Dand, and Bhed (persuasion, incentive, punishment, and strategy) Shilpa said the circumstances at the time left her feeling cornered, and she viewed legal action as the only available means to challenge what she believed was an unjust situation.
According to the actor, the guilt of living with a falsehood for years had become increasingly difficult to bear, prompting her to finally reveal the truth.
“If people had supported me back then, it wouldn’t have come to this. I am standing up for a girl’s father and a woman’s husband because I lied, and I cannot live with that lie in my heart. If I had gotten him arrested then, I would be arresting myself today, admitting it was my fault. But why did I do it? Read about Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed. If you haven’t read it, go watch the Mahabharata,” she said.
For the unversed, Hina slammed those who were defending someone who admitted to making false allegations for personal gain.
Without taking names, Hina said she was shocked that some women were supporting such actions.
Hina pointed out that false accusations can seriously damage a person’s life.
She said the accused person’s marriage could have fallen apart, and the public shame could have had devastating effects on their mental health.
She urged people in the television industry to speak up as staying silent only creates more mistrust and negative perceptions about women at work.
The controversy has also caught the attention of a men’s rights group, which has reportedly started legal proceedings against Shilpa.
The organisation believes that making false allegations should be punished under the law.
