With the #MeToo campaign gaining momentum in India, several unexpected names are grabbing the headlines every day. The latest survivor to join the movement is Indian TV screenwriter, producer and director Vinta Nanda. The screenwriter of the hit show of the 90s – Tara – has given a gut-wrenching account of the way she was assaulted.

In her long Facebook post, she has revealed that the lead star of that serial had sexually exploited her during that time. Though there were two lead actors of the serial, Alok Nath and Navneet Nishan, the Sanskari term points fingers at Alok Nath.

Vinta wrote, "His wife was my best friend. We were in and out of each other’s homes, we belonged to the same group of friends, most of us from theatre, slowly making our arts shine in the content renaissance, which had taken place because of the satellite television revolution of the 1990s. I was producing and writing the No 1 show on TV called Tara. He was after my lead girl. She was not interested in him. He was an alcoholic, shameless and obnoxious but he was also the television star of that decade, so not only was he forgiven for all his bad behaviour but many of the guys would egg him on to be his worst."

She also said that he came drunk on the set and tried to touch the lead actress inappropriately. Post that, she reportedly slapped him. Her FB post, which read, "When the camera rolled, he touched the actress inappropriately and she slapped him. He was removed from the show. But, soon, using his contacts, he returned to the show and a new generation story went on air.” A week later, the show and all other shows by Vinta were shut down. She added in the post that she went to the actor's place for a party and felt that her drinks were mixed and she felt strange. When she left at 2 am from the actor's residence, she was accosted by a man and was violated. She added that she was raped and brutalised. "It was literally disturbing. We hope, after this post, many women will come forward and share their #MeToo story.”

Even though she didn't take his name directly, it has been reported that she confirmed the name to IANS through a message stating that she thought, "sanskaari would do the needful”.

 

Here is Vinta Nanda's post on Facebook