Actor Shreya Dhanwanthary, who is making her Bollywood debut opposite Emraan Hashmi in “Why Cheat India”, says she was shocked when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against the film’s director Soumik Sen.
Last year, Sen was accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour by three women in the wake of India’s #MeToo tsunami. Post the allegations, the director excused himself from the film promotions.
The actor said she stands by the survivors and takes the movement seriously.
“It is shocking when you find out that it’s somebody you’ve worked with, especially because I’ve had a perfect time. Everyone was warm towards me so it was a big shock.
“I stand by what my producers said that they stand with the survivors and take this movement very seriously,” Shreya told an agency.
“Why Cheat India” focuses on the malpractices prevalent in the Indian education system.
Shreya, who debuted with the 2010 Telugu film “Sneha Geetham”, says she bagged her first Hindi project after a struggle of nearly eight years.
Though she was into theatre, dance and music since she was four, the journey to acting was not lyrical.
Produced by Emraan Hashmi Films along with T-Series and Ellipsis Entertainment, “Why Cheat India” releases Friday.
