Hansal Mehta demands accountability amid sexual misconduct allegations against Pratik Shah: “Abuse thrives in silence”

June 2, 2025 - 2:09 PM IST

Cinematographer Pratik Shah has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced online. The accusations have sparked a flurry of responses from the film fraternity, with filmmaker Hansal Mehta leading the call for accountability and systemic change.

Hansal Mehta demands accountability amid sexual misconduct allegations against Pratik Shah: “Abuse thrives in silence”

The controversy unfolded after director Abhinav Singh shared a series of Instagram Stories accusing Shah of predatory behaviour. Without naming the specific incident or timeline, Singh labelled Shah “a predator” and hinted at past incidents that had gone unreported. Shortly after the allegations went public, Shah deactivated his Instagram account, triggering further speculation.

Veteran filmmaker Hansal Mehta took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to post a detailed note calling for systemic reform within creative workspaces. “Abuse thrives in silence. It festers in fear,” he wrote, emphasising the need for thorough investigations and public accountability in cases involving influential individuals.

Mehta’s note also touched upon the broader spectrum of abuse, extending the conversation beyond gender and sexual misconduct. “Abuse has many forms. It is not always sexual. Mental, emotional, and psychological abuse can be just as scarring,” he stated, pointing out that power dynamics in creative industries often enable toxic environments under the guise of ‘passion’ or ‘genius.’

Calling for structural changes, Mehta urged the industry to create safer workspaces where survivors feel supported. “No art, no film, no script is worth the cost of someone’s safety or sanity,” he wrote, concluding with an appeal to dismantle silence and hold perpetrators accountable regardless of their stature.

Amid rising online discussions, Dharma Productions, associated with Shah’s most recent project, Homebound, released an official statement addressing the matter. The production house clarified that Shah had been engaged with Homebound only as a freelancer and for a limited duration. “His engagement with us has been completed. During this limited period, our internal committee for POSH did not receive any complaints against him from any cast or crew on our film Homebound,” the statement read. The company also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct in the workplace.

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