PTI (BOMBAY TIMES; October 13, 2018)

Alok Nath was like “Jekyll and Hyde” whose predatory behaviour was an “open secret” in the industry and has become public now, actress Himani Shivpuri said. The actress, who has worked with Alok Nath in many films and TV shows, said she was shocked to read Vinta Nanda’s Facebook post, accusing the veteran actor of rape. “If he (Nath) has done it, then it is very bad. You cannot force any woman to do anything against her will, using your power. It is tough for women,” Himani said. The actress, who worked with Nath on films like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Pardes, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and TV shows like Ghar Ek Sapnaa, said he was always nice to her, but she has heard stories from other female actors.

“Whenever we shot in daytime, he would be mild and normal, but after having liquor, he used to be this Jekyll and Hyde person. He used to change completely. I heard from actresses that they had a tough time working with him,” she said, adding that a veteran actor, who passed away recently, had once said he chased her.

“People were not that willing to open up at that time, even Vinta reported this after so many years,” she added.

Himani said Nath’s “sanskari” image was a media creation but he was often pulled up for his uncivil behaviour. “While we were in Dubai once for an award ceremony, he had consumed liquor and his wife was worried and disturbed with his behaviour as he was drunk. He was also once caught peeing in the open and was deplaned as he had misbehaved on the flight. The media, it seems, was ill-informed about his image. Everybody knows what kind of a person he is. Some things are an open secret in the industry,” she added.

Talking about her journey in the industry, Himani said that the place is rife with such stories and she faced her share of harassment. “Yes, that is a part of the industry. There were known faces. Maybe at some point, I will come out with my #MeToo story. But very well-known and important people have tried to take advantage of me or have misbehaved. They are still around. When I want to name them, I will name them. And it will not be one name, there will be quite a few names. These incidents happened early in my career,” she said, adding that she was not “physically harmed” but was asked for favours from “actors, directors and producers”.