Sajid Khan steps down from 'Housefull 4' after Akshay Kumar cancels shoot in the wake of the Me Too movement

Popular filmmaker Sajid Khan, who has been accused of sexual harassment by three women, has decided to step down as the director of his upcoming comedy-drama 'Housefull 4'. 

"In the wake of allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producers and the stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post, till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth. I request my friends in the media to kindly not pass judgment till the truth is out," the 47-year-old filmmaker wrote on Twitter on Friday. 

pic.twitter.com/qnD9W6aiLb

— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) October 12, 2018

'Ungli' actress Rachel White, assistant director Saloni Chopra and journalist Karishma Upadhyay, accused Khan of sexual harassment and shared their heart-wrenching Me Too stories on their respective social media handles.

Meanwhile, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has also urged the producers of 'Housefull 4' to cancel the shoot following sexual harassment allegations leveled against Khan and Nana Patekar.

"I have just landed back in the country last night and reading all the news have been very disturbing. I have requested the producers of Housefull 4 to cancel the shoot until further investigation. This is something that requires stringent action. I will not work with any proven offenders and all those who have been subjugated to harassment should be heard and given the justice they deserve," Akshay wrote. pic.twitter.com/deSRvNnkAA

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 12, 2018

Akshay's wife and author Twinkle Khanna, who has been supporting the movement since Day 1, also urged the team to take a firm stance on this issue. 

"Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on," she tweeted.

Appalled hearing multiple incidents of harassment and it is truly horrific to hear what these women have been through. Everyone involved in Housefull needs to take a firm stance on this issue. This cannot go on.

— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) October 12, 2018

Saloni Chopra thanked Akshay and Twinkle for taking a tough stand against her predator. "Its disturbing, the other all so similar accounts from women. I’m sorry I didn’t talk earlier. Thanks @mrsfunnybones @akshaykumar for taking abuse seriously. Evidently @SimplySajidK has chosen to deflect instead of apologize. I’m not surprised," she tweeted. 

Its disturbing, the other all so similar accounts from women. I’m sorry I didn’t talk earlier. Thanks @mrsfunnybones @akshaykumar for taking abuse seriously. Evidently @SimplySajidK has chosen to deflect instead of apologize. I’m not surprised.

— Saloni Chopra (@redheadchopra) October 12, 2018

#MeToo movement gained momentum in India after actor Tanushree Dutta accused Nata Patekar of harassing her. Since then, incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct have come out in the open, with allegations being leveled against many personalities in the media and entertainment industry, including Subhash Ghai, Vikas Bahl, Alok Nath, and Rajat Kapoor.

(With inputs from ANI)