`Bigg Boss 16`: Payal Rohatgi supports Sajid Khan's 'right to earn money`, slams Mandana Karimi

Payal Rohatgi, former ‘Bigg Boss 2’ contestant, has defended filmmaker Sajid Khan’s participation in ‘Bigg Boss 16’ that has received much criticism on social media. The filmmaker was accused of sexual harassment by several actors and a journalist during the #MeToo movement in 2018. Following which, he was banned by the Indian Film & Television Directors' Association for a year.

This is the first time Sajid has got a public platform since the allegations surfaced in 2018.
Recently, actor Mandana Karimi, who had accused Sajid of sexual harassment, had said that she doesn’t wish to be a part of the industry which doesn’t respect women. Now, her ‘Lock Upp’ co-contestant Payal Rohatgi has spoken in favour of the filmmaker and slammed Mandana for leaving Bollywood. Payal mentions that Sajid has the ‘right to live and earn money’.
In her Instagram stories, Payal said, ‘Sajid Khan has done wrong with 6 women as they narrated publicly. He has been reprimanded by all and publicly humiliated for his actions. Now the 6 women can take him to court.’

She further added, ‘But let me put it on record when even murderers have been given the right to reform by the values of Mahatma Gandhi then here even Sajid Khan has the right to live. He has the right to earn money. He has the right to repent. Let him fight for his right. You oppose him but don't do the drama of quitting Bollywood.’

In another post, Payal Rohatgi also recalled her experience when a director misbehaved with her. She said that she responded immediately instead of waiting for the #MeToo movement to start. She also slammed the PR agencies and asked them to ‘stop the drama about targeting Bollywood.’

Earlier, in an interview with Hindustan Times, Mandana had said that MeToo could not achieve much because people tend to become selfish and care about their own benefits. She was quoted saying, `It does make me feel sad. To be honest, that is also the reason I have not worked for the last seven months. I’m not working anymore. I didn’t go to any auditions. I don’t want to work in Bollywood. I don’t want to be involved with an industry where there is no respect for women.’

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