Shilpa Shinde on retracting her sexual harassment allegation against producer Sanjay Kohli: I wanted to come clean

Nearly a decade after her acrimonious exit from the TV show Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!, Shilpa Shinde returned to the show last December. This came as a surprise to everyone because the actress had accused producer Sanjay Kohli of sexual harassment, non-payment of dues and creating a hostile work environment in 2016. In a recent podcast, Shilpa admitted that the allegation that she had made against him was false. Her remarks have also raised uncomfortable questions about accountability and the impact such reversals can have on survivors of workplace harassment. It is against this backdrop that we spoke to Shinde.

‘I cannot even begin to explain the kind of harassment I went through during that phase’
Recalling how the dispute escalated at that time, Shilpa says, “I was asked to sign an exclusivity contract with the channel for the show. In return, I asked for a 25 per cent raise and five days off every month, but they didn’t agree. After that, stories started circulating that I was troubling the producers and wasn’t reporting to the shoot. CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) asked me to resume shooting the very next day without anyone hearing my side of the story. I told them my dues of `37 lakh should be cleared, and then I would return to work immediately. Meanwhile, auditions for my replacement were being conducted without informing me.”

She adds, “No one was taking my calls. Main 20 saal se industry mein kaam kar rahi hoon, aur aap kisi ko is tarah badnaam karte ho. No one tried to understand the challenges I was dealing with. I cannot even begin to explain the kind of harassment I went through during that phase.”

‘Sanjay Kohli is a nice man and was the one person who could have resolved the issue back then’
Speaking about Sanjay Kohli, she says, “He is a nice man. He speaks softly and knows how to get work done. What I never understood was why he wasn’t present at the meetings around my exit. He was the one person who could have resolved the issue. The matter was eventually settled in court, and we agreed not to speak about each other after that. After all this, I continued receiving offers to return to Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! from different quarters. And finally, I took it up in December last year, and things have been fine between all of us.”

When asked whether her allegation could undermine the experiences of women who genuinely face sexual harassment, Shilpa says, “A year of my life went by dealing with all this. A fake MMS of mine was also circulated at the time, which caused even more stress. I have a family, too. Jo mere saath hua, I wanted to return it.”

I’m glad Shilpa came forward with the truth: Binaiferr Kohli
When contacted, Binaiferr Kohli chose not to comment on the larger controversy. She said, “Shilpa speaking up and admitting that she falsely accused my husband after so many years was unexpected. I am glad she came forward with the truth and clarified the matter, as we have always known what the truth was. We have moved on, and I do not wish to comment further on the matter.”

Shilpa’s admission that she falsely accused producer Sanjay Kohli has sparked a discussion in the industry. Hina Khan, without naming Shilpa, posted on Instagram. She wrote, “Yes, using your sex to malign someone’s image in order to Win during a conflict is absolutely shameful. And everyone is Absolutely Right to Call it out and demand justice. I am shocked beyond words... But I want to talk about the “Real Victim” here. A respected Man with a wife, a daughter and many other women in his family.. A real hardworking producer with many iconic shows. Who went through such an ordeal. As admitted by the Female Actor, her allegations were not just baseless they were used to gain advantage, to win, to score, to claim, to settle without the utilisation of Law. And even after that, the SAME producer gives the SAME show to the SAME person. Another LAUNCHPAD, another MOUTHPIECE, another RELEVANCE, another CHANCE to legitimise her Fake Claim of SEXUAL ASSAULT.. What if the Actor repeats it? After all the actor has been given the same show by the one she falsely ACCUSED... I AM APPALLED. THE JOKE IS ON US (sic).”