#DeDePyaarDe: Post backlash, Ajay issues clarification on Alok Nath's casting
What's the story
When the trailer of Ajay Devgn-starrer De De Pyaar De got released, many people were angry.
That's because it featured Bollywood's babuji Alok Nath, who was accused of rape last year.
Most of the ire was directed towards Ajay, as he was one of the major actors who extended support to #MeToo movement earlier.
He has now issued a detailed statement, clarifying his point.
Fact
Backstory: Vinta accused Nath of raping her 19 years ago
Back in October, writer-director Vinta Nanda had accused Nath of raping her 19 years ago.
Later, actors Himani Shivpuri, Sandhya Mridul, Deepika Amin, and an anonymous crew member on a film set had accused Nath of harassing them.
After he filed a defamation suit against Nanda, the latter lodged an FIR.
In January, he was granted anticipatory bail by the Mumbai sessions court.
Criticism
Tanushree calls Ajay "morally bankrupt and a spineless hypocrite"
After Nath's role in De De Pyaar De became public knowledge, Tanushree Dutta, harbinger of the #MeToo movement in Bollywood, called Ajay a "morally bankrupt and a spineless hypocrite."
Meanwhile, Vinta, expressing her disappointment said, "I don't expect anything from Ajay. I don't think he's in a position to take a stand. The money riding on the project is the only dharma for them."
Attack
Ajay faces backlash from Tanushree, Vinta and Kangana's sister, Rangoli
Not just Vinta and Tanushree, even Rangoli Chandel, Kangana Ranaut's sister and manager, lashed out at Ajay.
In a series of tweets, Rangoli said,"It is because of these men our country is a black spot on world map as far as crimes against women are concerned. These men are so intoxicated with power and money, they are teasing the movement."
Twitter Post
These men are intoxicated with power and money: Rangoli
These men are so intoxicated with power and money, they are teasing the movement by supporting fellow harassers and slyly mocking the victims, also shamelessly defending their actions with lame excuses...(contd)
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) April 17, 2019
Twitter Post
The world is round and everything comes around, warns Rangoli
(Contd)....and all those who are enjoying the sweetness of silence just because it is happening to somebody else’s daughter shall know the world is round and everything comes around 🙏 #Metoo
— Rangoli Chandel (@Rangoli_A) April 17, 2019
Defense
Nothing about my stand has changed, Ajay emphasizes
After facing a lot of backlash and not willing to make it a 'she said, he said' ongoing war of words, Ajay has issued a detailed clarification yesterday on the same.
Emphasizing that "nothing about my stand has changed," Ajay said, "I respect every single woman at the work place and I would not stand for any unfairness or atrocity against them."
Information
Portions with Nath were canned by last August: Ajay
About working with Nath, Ajay said, "The shoot of the film got over by last September. The portions with Mr Alok Nath were canned by August in Manali. By the time the allegations came out (in October 2018), the actors in the film including me had already started work on other films."
Thus, it was "near impossible," to gather all for reshooting Nath's portions.
Justification
'Decision to replace Nath could never have been mine alone'
"It would also have been a huge monetary loss for the producers. Everyone is aware that film-making is a collaborative process. The decision to replace Mr Alok Nath could never have been mine alone," Ajay said.
"I couldn't have brought the entire combination of actors back or put up sets again for a 40-day re-shoot because this would mean doubling the budget," he added.
Question
"Why an attempt is being made to 'single' me out"
Ajay said, "Had circumstances played out even slightly differently, I would have pushed for a different combination of actors. Unfortunately, this was not to be."
He however reiterated that he is "extremely sensitive to the #MeToo Movement," but when some situations are beyond his control, "I don't see why an attempt is being made to 'single' me out as being insensitive. This is untrue."
Past interview
Some names did shock me, Ajay on #MeToo movement
This February, when Ajay was asked about the #MeToo movement, he had said that "some names did shock him, but he can't be judgmental completely till somebody proves someone guilty or not."
He had also said that the times are changing and the current generation is "not going to accept the bullshit what people used to accept couple of years back."
Comment
'Big or small doesn't matter anymore, which is good'
The 50-year-old actor-producer had said, "You can't say 'I am very powerful and you can't mess with me', you cannot mess with anybody as everybody is at the same platform. So big or small doesn't matter anymore, which is a good thing."
His wife Kajol, added, "You as common people have the power to put out your story and people will hear you."
Information
'De De Pyaar De' is slated to release on May-17
Ajay, whose last release was Total Dhamaal, is also working on Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior, Chanakya with Neeraj Pandey, a biopic on the legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim and a Luv Ranjan's film with Ranbir Kapoor. De De Pyaar De releases on May 17.