Mandana Karimi quits Bollywood after #MeToo accused Sajid Khan gets a ‘Bigg Boss 16’ berth

Ever since #MeToo accused filmmaker Sajid Khan was confirmed as a participant in the 16th season of popular reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’ , there has been an uproar on social media. Many felt disturbed that Khan who had been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour by several women, was being given such a big platform.

Recently Mandana Karimi, who was one of the women who opened up about being exploited by the ‘Heyy Babyy’ director, revealed that she had decided to quit Bollywood as she feels there is no respect for women in the industry and men in power have the licence to get away with inappropriate behaviour including sexual assault. She also stated that she “is not surprised” to see Khan back on screen, seemingly unscathed from the #MeToo accusations.

In a candid interview with Hindustan Times, the ‘Bhaag Johnny’ actress opened up on being disillusioned with Bollywood. "For people, life has become like, ‘If it’s going to benefit me and I can make money, who cares?’ The industry is a place where someone is someone’s mum, boyfriend, girlfriend or husband. It’s like, 'You scratch my back and I will scratch yours'," the actress was quoted as saying to the English daily.


The ‘Ishqbaaz’ actress also revealed that she plans to quit Bollywood for good. “I didn’t go for any auditions. I don’t want to work in Bollywood. I don’t want to be associated with an industry where there is no respect for women," she said.

The Indo-Iranian actress was last seen as a contestant in the reality show ‘Lock Upp’. She is currently suing the show’s creators as her dues from the show had not been cleared.

“I’m still fighting for my money. My full payment hasn’t come, the show was over five months back. I am still waiting to know why they aren’t clearing my dues,” the actress said.

Karimi had come forward with her harrowing experience with the ‘Housefull’ director in 2018. In an interview with a leading daily, she narrated how she had been asked to disrobe by the film-maker during an audition. "I was in talks for Sajid Khan's ‘Humshakals’ at the casting stage. My manager and I visited his office. After meeting producer Vashu Bhagnani, I was in a room with Sajid, when he said, 'Lovely pictures but you need to remove your clothes. If I like what I see, you might get the part,' " she was quoted as saying.