For actor Harshita Shekhar Gaur, the lockdown has been “peaceful and productive”. The 27-year-old, who rose to fame through Mirzapur and Sacred Games 2, says the whole situation has been sad and she was lucky that she had work which helped her sustain the last six months. She admits that things have been rough for Bollywood due to the recent mishaps. However, Gaur, who shares a good professional relationship with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, doesn’t believe the sexual assault allegations against the Gangs of Wasseypur director.

“I really respect the #MeToo movement and how it had encouraged many women to come out and speak up, but I can tell you things from my personal experience. I met Anurag four years back when I wanted to make a transition from TV. I remember him telling me that ‘you’re a good-looking girl and can make a good career, but if you want to survive, you have to work on yourself and acting skills’,” she says.

Gaur further adds, “Anurag is experimental, and he has no qualms in casting newcomers. I don’t think a person like him can harass and exploit anyone. I have known him for [the last] four years, and got an opportunity to work in Sacred Games season 2. It was wonderful to work with his team. He is an institution by himself. His whole team is filled with girls and the kind of respect and comfort I’ve seen on his sets is amazing. I don’t believe he can harass a woman.”