Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who filed a molestation case against her ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia in 2014, is receiving severe backlash on social media over her insensitive remarks on the current #MeToo movement.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama when asked to share her views about the ongoing social media movement, Preity said,
"I think it's important that this whole #MeToo movement has started but it's also important that women use it for the right thing because there are men and women that would use their position of power for their advantage. But, I do feel bad when women are using it when it's not that serious or for personal vendetta or for publicity. There is a very small percentage of women that are using it and they're diluting the movement but then there are also women who've gone through all of this and we being in the industry have heard so many stories."
"So if you want to acknowledge that there's a problem, you have to first atleast admit that there is and then you solve the problem. But, this 'Me Too' movement if it's this much in the film industry, it's that much in every other industry. Atleast we have a spotlight here in this industry and people listen to you and the media is there but if you're telling me it's not in other industries and not in the business world and not in politics, that's rubbish."
What’s worse was that when asked if she’s ever personally experienced anything of this sort, she said, “No, I haven’t, I wish I had. (laughs) Atleast, then, I would have had an answer to tell you. No and that's what I am saying that this is very relevant question because people treat you the way you want to be treated."
Although the 'Kal Ho Na Ho' actress stressed on the importance of education and awareness in children, she diltuted the entire thing by making frivolous statements like, "Aaj Ki Sweetu, Kal ki MeToo ho sakti hai.' So don't hang out with any 'Sweetu' "
Preity's insensitive remarks are drawing strong condemnation from Twitterati:
This is the same Preity Zinta who had told Quint in an interview, "It’s really sad when people turn around and say that this woman is lying and she is doing it for publicity because no woman does it for publicity."
Preity further added, "...The film industry is one of the safest places. There's some of the most decent people I have worked with. So, I feel really bad when people say this industry is really bad. And if there are dodgy people well, there are bad people every where, right. So, there's nothing that you can do to change the world, the only thing you can do is change yourself."
"So, if you go there saying I'll do anything then you'll be stupid not to ask me to do anything but if I'm coming here and saying that I'm going to work really hard and I'll do anything to work hard and I have no other nonsense to entertain, you will not. If you feel that I am good at what I am doing you're going to be like,'okay, let's work' and people are like that and I am a walking example of that. So, I don't believe any of the other things people say. Though I heard a line, 'Aaj Ki Sweetu, Kal ki MeToo ho sakti hai.' So don't hang out with any 'Sweetu'.(laughs)"
