Showing posts with label Rahul Raj Singh interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rahul Raj Singh interview. Show all posts
I hope more guys like me, who have been sexually harassed, come forward and speak up-Rahul Raj Singh
8:39 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 21, 2018)
A day after sharing his experience of being sexually harassed by writer Mushtaq Shiekh on his social media account, TV actor Rahul Raj Singh (late Pratyusha Banerjee’s boyfriend) now plans to register an official complaint against Mushtaq with the writers’ association. Talking about the incident, which happened between 2006 and 2007, Rahul shared, “I first met Mushtaq in 2006, when I decided to pursue films after modelling. He was a known writer and was well-connected in the Bollywood and TV industry. I would meet people like him, hoping to get a foothold in the industry. I was supposed to do a couple of projects with him, but unfortunately, he was expecting something else in return. He told me, ‘I have thought about you for one project and want to cast you in it. Meet me after office hours and we will discuss the project’. However, I found his body language suspicious when I met him. I didn’t want to judge him by his sexual preferences and emotions. But after a couple of meetings, he started calling me up late at night. I would still take his call, because I was a newcomer and didn’t have any godfather in the industry. He would often tell me how things worked in the film industry and what people did to get work here. One night he asked me to meet him at 11 pm at a coffee shop in Bandra. Later, he took me to his house and told me that I am going to do something to you, which you are going to enjoy. It will be different, but you will like it. I got scared and told him that he was a friend and that I know his family. I left and eventually lost the film. Then, he stopped taking my calls and would only text me. I didn’t want to lose the film, but I realised that he wanted to only have sex with me. It wasn’t direct; it’s not like he pounced on me, but he would try to come close to me. It was pretty much like, if I didn’t surrender, I wouldn’t get work.”Rahul further shared, “I couldn’t take it for long and I gave up on my filmi dreams after doing one film, which unfortunately didn’t do well. Then I decided to try my luck in television. I bagged my first show Amber Dhara, which was conceptualised by Mushtaq. While I was under the impression that I got the show for my talent, after meeting him, he told me that I bagged the role because of him. Unfortunately, the show didn’t run for long. I bagged another show, titled Mata Ki Chowki with the same production house, for a channel Mushtaq was then heading. He extended his offer once again to me (to sleep with him) if I wanted to keep my job, but I refused. Somehow, after that, my character fizzled out of the show. For another show titled Ganesh Leela, I had to deal with him again, as it was for the same channel. He called me to meet him at night and told me to come for a drive. We were driving around Aarey Milk Colony, when he suddenly grabbed my head towards him and started unbuttoning my clothes. I got very angry and upset, and told him that I would stop the car and leave him in the middle of the jungle. It was a tough ride back, and after I refused his advances, he made sure that I was out of work. Eventually, I quit TV because I didn’t want to compromise. My career on TV was cut short because one man got the lust and power equation wrong.”
Talking about why he has spoken about this now, Rahul said, “I didn’t speak about it back then, because we didn’t have social media where we could voice it. Also, I thought no one would believe me because he was well-connected. I don’t want him to be punished nor do I intend to file a police complaint. I want him to feel ashamed about what he has done. I hope more guys like me, who have been sexually harassed, join the #MeToo movement. This will discourage those who misuse their power.”
Rahul, who has approached the writers’ association, said, “I have written to the association and will file an official complaint soon.”
We tried to get in touch with Mushtaq Shiekh for his version, but he did not respond to our calls and messages till the time of going to press.
Mushtaq Shiekh told me to sleep with him to keep my job-Rahul Raj Singh
8:51 AM
Television actor files complaint saying screen writer Mushtaq Shiekh molested him on several occasions, promising him roles in return
Faizan Khan (MID-DAY; October 20, 2018)
After helping scores of women to call out sexual predators, the #MeToo movement has now given courage to the first male survivor to speak out against sexual harassment in the film and television industry. Actor Rahul Raj Singh has accused screenwriter and producer Mushtaq Shiekh of making repeated sexual advances towards him, and eventually ruining his career upon being rejected.
Rahul was last in the news when he was arrested on charges of abetting the suicide of his actor girlfriend, Pratyusha Banerjee (of the Balika Vadhu fame), amid allegations that he had been an abusive partner. He is currently out on bail. “I have been an actor for the past 10 years, and have now been inspired by the women in our acting, film and TV fraternity to come out with my story of harassment by Mushtaq Shiekh,” he told the media.
Rahul met Mushtaq sometime in 2006, he said, when he was a model looking to break into acting. “I was the Grasim Mr India model in 2004, when I was 19 years old. A couple of years later, I came in contact with Mushtaq Shiekh. Mushtaq was a very powerful person in Bollywood then. [He was] someone who was on first name basis with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Farah Khan and Ekta Kapoor. He seemed to be impressed with me. I was glad because I realised I would get work,” he recalled.
“He told me, ‘I have thought about you for one project and want to cast you in it. Meet me after office hours and we will discuss the project’. I did not want to judge him on his sexual preferences, but after the second and third meeting, he started calling me late at night, around 3 or 4 am,” said Rahul.
Each time he lost his job
He added that initially he would take the calls because he was a newcomer in need of a godfather in the industry. “He was associated with Mukta Arts at the time, and he showed me a Korean film which he said he would remake in Bollywood, casting me. But one night, he called me at 11 pm near his house. I had already been introduced to his sister Najma and his other married sister. He took me to his house, which had a single room, a bed and a lot of film posters. He told me, ‘I am going to do something to you which you are going to enjoy. It will be different, but you will like it’. I got scared,” Rahul recounted.
He added, “I told him, ‘I know your family. I am not against your preferences, but I am your friend and every relationship is not about sex’. He said, ‘Don’t worry, next time you will be ready’. I left, and lost the film at Mukta Arts.”
Mushtaq came back to haunt Rahul when he turned to television work. “I was chosen for a TV serial called Amber Dhara. I was popular as the first blind hero on national television. Then I got a call from Mushtaq, telling me that he was the one who had chosen me for the role. That destroyed my confidence and self-belief. Then I was signed up for another show called Mata Ki Chowki [also associated with Mushtaq]. He extended his offer again, that I could sleep with him to keep my job, but I refused. My character was written out of the show soon,” said Rahul.
‘He grabbed my head’
He added, “During another show called Ganesh Leela, Mushtaq’s roving eye caught me again. He told me to meet him at night for a drive. We were on a drive in Aarey Milk Colony when he suddenly grabbed my head [towards him] and started unbuttoning me [Rahul’s clothes]. I got very angry and upset, and told him that I would stop the car and leave him in the middle of the jungle.”
“I used to earn around Rs 3-4 lakh per month in those days. I owe answers to my friends and fans as to why I quit TV. It was because of Mushtaq Shiekh. I told my parents the same thing 10 years ago: I can’t do this, because I will be forced to sleep with someone,” said the Amber Dhara actor, adding, “I told my mother that I wanted to tell the world my story now. I had been reluctant earlier because my male friends told me, ‘Tu mard hain, aise kaise bol sakta hai’. My mother told me that a real man tells the truth and faces the consequences.”
Producer friend says
He said his friend and former roommate Asif Ali, now a film producer, had witnessed his trauma over the years. mid-day reached out to Asif, who said, “When we were roommates, I asked Rahul why he wasn’t getting good projects. He told me about the harassment and demands for sexual favours. I read a few of their chats, but I don’t remember their [culprit’s] names.” Despite repeated attempts to contact Mushtaq, he did not respond to mid-day’s queries.
Complaint to follow Rahul claimed that he has already notified Javed Akhtar — Film Writers Association committee member and writer-lyricist — about the abuse via WhatsApp, and will follow it up with a written complaint to the organisation.
Pratyusha and I mutually decided to abort the baby-Rahul Raj Singh
7:56 AM
Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2016)
The focus has been on him
ever since his girlfriend, 24-year-old Pratyusha Bannerjee allegedly
committed suicide on April 1. Rahul Raj Singh says that he is “still to
come to terms with her death“ and “unable to sleep“ since the
unfortunate incident took place. Here, he speaks at length about the
woman he was soon going to marry and the accusations levelled
against him.
What do you have to say to the reports that she underwent an abortion a few days before the incident and also the bank transactions being made during March?
After she told me that she had missed her periods, we went to the doctor for the pregnancy test. However, we mutually decided to abort it since we were not married and only living in together. I went with her to the doctor for the abortion, but since there was a long waiting, she told me to leave. I, in fact, went the following day to the same doctor to get medicines prescribed for her. We decided to terminate the pregnancy thinking about our future as we were planning to get married in November.
The post-mortem reports may have come out the very next day. Why are they talking about it now?
Someone has circulated a recording claiming it to be hers where she speaks about the reason behind committing suicide, but those who knew Pratyusha will vouch that it wasn't her. The allegations don't matter to me. I don't want to comment on this.
Was Pratyusha suicidal?
I never felt so.
Did you want to end the relationship?
Never. People fight in every relationship but we have never had any major argument. We would fight like any other normal couple. No one can claim that they don't fight. It would be a lie.
Was she aware of your marriage (to Sougata Mukherjee in 2011) when the two of you started going out initially?
Of course, she knew about it. My engagement was covered in newspapers. It was in full media glare.
When did your divorce come through?
It was a mutual separation and the divorce came through in 2013.
Did you have a joint account with Pratyusha and did you take charge of her credit and debit cards?
Everything has been presented to the court and the truth will be revealed in due course. She didn't have a joint account with me. All the accounts were with her mother. In fact, I was the first one to open her solo account because she never had anything of her own. She wouldn't have any answer to my questions. I even got her Aadhaar card made. She didn't even have a passport. She has done well for herself, then how come she didn't have a single property in her name? She was in depression and had several loans on her name before I entered her life. Her EMIs were not paid on time either. A 23-year-old couldn't handle that pressure. I knew her for eight months and it was too less a time to get into someone's personal zone. We started staying together three months ago. That's when I learnt about the financial stress and depression she was going through. I even spoke to her parents two days before the incident. They never said anything against me in their first statement. If I was torturing their daughter, they would have accused me of her death first. They are doing it under the influence of people around them. I won't do that two days later as an afterthought. I want them to be with me, who they considered their son, during this difficult time. I still can't believe that she is no more. I have also been accused of being a father to a nine-year-old kid. I demand proof. Time will tell who is in the right.
What's your source of income?
I won a pageant in 2004, and have featured in shows like Amber Dhara, Mata Ki Chowki and Ganesh Leela. I have done more than 600 episodes. I have an event company and we recently organised a Holi bash. I am also into film production, marketing and distribution. People, who are accusing me of swindling her money, need to know that I only took Rs 10,000 from Power Couple and requested the team to transfer the rest of the money to Pratyusha's account.
What about the allegations made by her maid that the relationship was abusive, you didn't allow Pratyusha to work and that she would often ask her for money?
In fact, I would push her to leave for work as I would get calls on her behalf. She did Power Couple and Sasural Simar Ka after meeting me. Did Pratysusha ever complain about me? Why would she get my name inked and then order a bridal lehenga three days before the incident? I was not even allowed at her funeral.
Who stopped you?
Her parents didn't allow me to attend the funeral. The police authorities told me that they had an objection with me being there.
Her parents have accused you of brainwashing her to cut all ties with them?
I have phone calls and messages from them requesting me to help them iron out their differences with Pratyusha, which I often tried to do. I was in touch with them on a regular basis. They would also ask me to clear their EMIs. I have stayed with her mother before Power Couple and had a cordial relationship with her. There are several accusations. If I sit and start addressing every single of them, I would end up behaving like them. I don't wish to indulge in mud slinging with anyone.
They have also accused you of torturing her mentally by raking up her past relationships...
If it was so bad, why didn't they take their daughter away? They were aware she was in Ranchi and Kolkata with me.
Going back to April 1, what happened that day?
Pratyusha, I and a common friend partied and chatted the night away. The latter left at 8.30 am on April 1. We decided to eat out. If we had cooked at home that day, the incident wouldn't have taken place. When I got up, Pratyusha went for a shower and started drinking again. She had a drinking problem. I told her to stop drinking so much. I left to get food later. On returning home, I rang the bell and it was turned off. My key didn't work since it was double locked. I banged the door. When there was no response, I started calling her and dropped messages. I went down to get the locksmith to make duplicate keys. In the meantime, our neighbour's domestic held reached out to me and I requested him to jump over to my balcony from his and open the double lock from inside. The first thing I saw after entering the home was Pratyusha hanging from the fan. I immediately rushed towards her and placed her legs on my shoulders.The locksmith cut her dupatta. I splashed water on her face, started pumping her chest and gave her mouth-to-mouth to revive her. I immediately lifted her, carried her down and sat in the car besides her. I was restless and jumped every signal possible.
Why were you absconding later?
I rushed Pratyusha to the hospital and wanted to save her. I waited there for two and a half hours. I called everyone, including her uncle and parents. I was not in a state to face the media. I handed her over to her parents. I was feeling terrible and could not believe that she was no more. I was inundated with calls from the media. So, I decided to leave. I went to the police and Siddharth Hospital the next day. I was not arrested.
Some women have come out in the open alleging you of duping them monetarily. Why are they talking about it now?
Why didn't they talk about it when and if it happened?
Leaving the spot was a mistake-Rahul Raj Singh
9:37 AM
Pratyusha Banerjee's partner, who surfaced on Saturday after going missing from the hospital on Friday night, in exclusive chat with mid-day says fame had gone to her head but he was determined to marry her
Shiva Devnath (MID-DAY; April 3, 2016)
Pratyusha Banerjee, say officials at Bangur Nagar Police Station, decided to take her life following a tiff with live-in partner Rahul Raj Singh. She was upset with Rahul's closeness to a female friend and this had led to several fights between the two.
At 11 pm on Saturday, Rahul left the police station after preliminary questioning by the police. A police officer said, "We will call Rahul again to record his statement and conduct an inquiry. No clean chit has been given."
A source told this newspaper that Rahul had, in the past, dated women and was accustomed to enjoying luxuries at their expense. Speaking to mid-day, Rahul said he is innocent, even while admitting that he would have frequent fights with Pratyusha. Edited excerpts from the chat.
"Pratyusha and I were at our Goregaon flat on Thursday night and a female friend had joined us. We had a few drinks that night and, early on Friday morning, the friend wanted to visit Bandra's Mount Mary church. I went along with her while Pratyusha stayed back. I returned at 4 am and went to sleep with Pratyusha in our room. When we woke up in the morning, the two of us ended up in an argument. Pratyusha started drinking and I was trying to convince her not to do it this early in the day. She did not listen to me. After a while, I too joined her.
At around 1 pm, I left home for some work. After almost an hour, I called her on her phone but it was switched off. After several attempts, she finally answered the phone. I asked her if she wanted me to pack lunch for her but she refused.
I reached home and the door was locked from inside. I asked my neighbour's domestic help to enter the house from the balcony and unlatch the door. When he entered, he found Pratyusha hanging from the ceiling fan of the living room. Shocked and numb, I called my uncle and later, I called Pratyusha's parents. I rushed her to Andheri's Kokilaben Ambani Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
I did not abscond as I have been accused of doing. I gave the cops my contact number. I was in touch with an advocate who advised me to leave the spot, saying Pratyusha's friends would harm me and the police would harass me. That's why I left. It was, obviously, a mistake.
I was dating Pratyusha since November 2015 and wanted to marry her. I still believe that she is my wife. I take her as my wife. If I had not left home on Friday, she would have been alive.
Whatever money she earned, she sent to her parents. I admit we fought a lot. Fame had gone to her head. She'd always belittle me. However, I am innocent."
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