Dharma Productions Responds After Pratik Shah Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations in Bollywood

Jun, 1 2025

Sexual Misconduct Claims Rock Bollywood as Pratik Shah Faces Accusations

Things got messy in Bollywood this week as cinematographer Pratik Shah found himself at the center of sexual misconduct and emotional abuse allegations. Shah, best known for his work on the Prime Video series Jubilee and the film CTRL, was accused publicly by filmmaker Abhinav Singh, who painted a picture of Shah as "highly manipulative" and "emotionally abusive." Singh didn't just make vague claims—he shared on social media that after opening up about his own negative experiences, his inbox was flooded with messages from women echoing similar stories of mistreatment. The comparison was even drawn to the heavy-hitting Hollywood drama Bombshell, which dramatized real-life cases of workplace harassment.

The blowback was fast. Shah swiftly deleted his Instagram account and has stayed tight-lipped since the allegations erupted. This silence only fueled more speculation. In the eye of the public storm, Dharma Productions—one of Bollywood's most influential studios helmed by Karan Johar—felt compelled to clarify their connection to Shah.

Dharma Productions Speaks Out and Industry Calls for Accountability

Dharma issued a clear statement trying to set the record straight. They said Shah had an extremely limited run as a freelance cinematographer on their still-unreleased film Homebound, working only briefly on the project. According to the studio, no complaints about Shah's behavior reached their internal prevention of sexual harassment (POSH) committee or anyone else on set during his stint. Once his short engagement ended, he had no further involvement with the team. Dharma hammered home their zero-tolerance policy for harassment and insisted on their compliance with strict internal safeguards.

But the story didn’t end there. Hansal Mehta, a respected filmmaker often known for tackling social issues, weighed in. He criticized the wider culture of silence around abuse and called for honest, impartial probes whenever such accusations arise. Mehta's message was blunt: "Abuse thrives in silence... Predatory behaviour by men in power must be investigated thoroughly." While he didn't call out Shah by name, the tweet had clear resonance in the current climate.

This controversy is more than just another bad headline for Bollywood. It’s rekindled ongoing conversations around power dynamics, accountability, and the urgent need for change in an industry where silence has long protected abusers. Many survivors and activists are now openly demanding firmer reforms and public reckonings, pushing back against an old culture of protecting reputations over people. The spotlight is burning bright, and the pressure on Bollywood giants like Dharma Productions to not just talk but act is higher than ever.