#MeToo: Mandana Karimi opens up about ordeal with 'Kya Kool Hain Hum 3' director; disappointed with Ekta Kapoor's silence

Iranian model-turned-actress Mandana Karimi, who earlier accused filmmaker Sajid Khan and ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum 3’ director Umesh Ghadge of harassment, further opened up about her ordeal with the two in an interview with Zoom.

The 30-year-old actress, who had initially levelled the allegations on October 12, recalled her experience with Khan and said that he asked her to reveal her body for a role in his movie ‘Humshakals’ in 2014. She said that the filmmaker already had her pictures but still insisted on seeing her body.

The ‘Bhaag Johnny’ actress went on to also talk about the harassment she faced at the hands of ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum 3’ director Umesh Ghadge in 2016. She said that while she was already selected for the part by producer Ekta Kapoor, Ghadge kept saying that he did not want her in the film.



Karimi said that she was not given enough time to get her steps right with Tusshar Kapoor despite opening up to the makers about her weak dancing skills.

The ‘Roy’ actress reportedly spoke to Ekta and her mother about it all, who were upset about the incident but did not take action right away.

However, things were yet to get worse, said Karimi. The actual harassment came when the shooting began.

Karimi revealed that Ghadge asked her to come to his room and try a bikini. Despite her retaliating and saying that it does not match with her character, Ghadge insisted that she do so.

Karimi continued to add that everyone is aware of what the conditions are like in Bollywood. Despite that, no one does anything, instead, they all blame the actress for ‘throwing tantrums’.

The ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum 3’ actress concluded by saying that she wonders why action was not taken against the director back then. She also expressed disappointment with Ekta Kapoor for staying silent about the incident.

Earlier, Sajid Khan was accused of sexual harassment by actress Saloni Chopra and a journalist.


Following the strong allegations, Khan stepped down as director of 'Housefull 3' and has been replaced by Farhad Samji.


The #MeToo movement gained momentum in India after actress Tanushree Dutta accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of Rakesh Sarang's movie 'Horn Ok Pleassss' in 2008. Following this, actresses, authors, journalists opened up about their #MeToo stories on social media.

A number of prominent personalities, including Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl, Kailash Kher and Chetan Bhagat, have been accused of harassment in this movement.