Gurugram: Bollywood actor Mouni Roy has alleged that she faced harassment and inappropriate behaviour during a wedding event in Haryana, on 23 January, detailing the incident through Instagram stories.
The event was held at Hotel Noor Mahal in Sector 32-33, Karnal, for the wedding of Akshat Goyal, son of rice exporter Bhushan Goyal. BJP MLA Jagmohan Anand was among the attendees at the function, which also featured a performance by actress Malaika Arora.
In Instagram, Roy alleged multiple instances of inappropriate conduct. The actor stated that male family members, including elderly guests whom she described as being of her grandfather’s age, placed their hands on her waist while attempting to take photographs as she walked towards the stage. When she requested them to remove their hands, the behaviour allegedly continued.
During her stage performance, Roy claimed that two elderly men standing in front made obscene gestures and comments, and used abusive language. She said she initially gestured politely for them to stop, following which they began throwing roses at her. The actor briefly walked towards the exit but returned to complete her performance.
A picture that has emerged from the event shows an elderly suited man holding a rose near the stage while Roy was performing. Roy further alleged that some attendees were recording videos from low angles, taking advantage of the elevated stage, which she termed as digital harassment. She expressed disappointment that neither family members nor organisers intervened to stop the behaviour.
In her post, the actor highlighted concerns about what newcomers to the industry might face if such incidents could happen to her. She demanded strict action against such behaviour.
“If someone like me has to go through this I can only imagine what new girls starting to work and do shows must be. I am humiliated, traumatised and want the authorities to take action for this intolerable behaviour. We are artists trying to earn an honest living through our craft. Wonder what these men would do if their friends behaved the same with their daughters, sisters or any family members — shame on you!” she wrote in her post.
Roy, who began her career in television with popular shows like ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, later made her Bollywood debut and has since appeared in several Hindi films.
“I love my country our people our traditions but this ? The guts. The entitlement of being men. I never put up anything negative. I go through. But this. Have no words. Have no expression or abuse that would make any sense for this behaviour. We as actors go to these events to wish the bride and the groom to add to their celebration. We are their guests and they harass us like this,” she said, ending with ‘Yuk’, an expression of disgust.
Before Roy’s performance, Malaika Arora had performed on several songs, including ‘Gud Naal Ishq Meetha’ and other Punjabi numbers.
Contacted by ThePrint on Monday, Karnal SP Narendra Bijaraniya confirmed that no formal complaint has been received from the actress so far.
“I have read Mouni Roy’s post on social media. The police are trying to get in touch with her team so that we can get a formal complaint from her. Once we get a complaint, the police will take action as per the law,” Bijarniya told ThePrint.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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