“Take Your Clothes Off, Sit In Lingerie”:Ishqbaaaz Actress Navina Bole Accuses Sajid Khan Of Sexual Harassment
Television actress Navina Bole, known for her role in Ishqbaaaz, has accused filmmaker Sajid Khan of sexual harassment.
In a recent social media post, Bole recounted an incident from 2008 when she was called to Khan’s office for an audition. She alleged that during the meeting, Khan asked her to remove her clothes and sit in lingerie, stating, “Take your clothes off, sit in lingerie.” Bole described the experience as “traumatic” and labeled Khan a “terrible man.”
These allegations add to the series of accusations against Sajid Khan that surfaced during India’s #MeToo movement in 2018. Actress Saloni Chopra detailed her experiences of harassment while working as Khan’s assistant director in 2011. She claimed that Khan would call her at odd hours, make inappropriate comments, and once asked her to touch his genitals. Chopra stated, “It took me years to get over the trauma he put me through.”
Journalist Karishma Upadhyay also accused Khan of misconduct during an interview in the early 2000s. She alleged that Khan exposed himself and made lewd comments. Similarly, actress Rachel White recounted that during an audition for Humshakals, Khan insisted she strip so he could assess her suitability for a bikini
Following these revelations, Khan stepped down as the director of Housefull 4. The Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) conducted an investigation and suspended Khan for a year, citing serious instances of sexual harassment and abuse of power
Khan has denied the allegations, stating that they have caused irreparable harm to his career and personal life. He expressed willingness to cooperate with investigations but maintained his innocence.