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#SilenceOfTheKnown: Preity Zinta's laughs is exactly what #MeToo doesn't need

#SilenceOfTheKnown: Preity Zinta's laughs is exactly what #MeToo doesn't need

By Shalini Ojha
Nov 19, 2018
12:45 pm
What's the story

The #MeToo movement finds its strength in support, survivors believing each other and lending a shoulder. While harassers get away with almost anything they do, accusers just want to be heard. Amid all this, actress Preity Zinta dismissing the movement and hoping 'she was harassed' is what #MeToo doesn't need. Preity rushed to defend Bollywood, rather than supporting victims, and we are disappointed.

The interview

How not to use your voice, the Preity Zinta way

Preity, who will be seen with Sunny Deol in 'Bhaiyyaji Superhit', was speaking to Bollywood Hungama's Faridoon Shahryar when she was questioned about #MeToo. About the movement, Preity said the assaults weren't unique to Bollywood but happened everywhere (no one has ever denied it, though). She claimed Bollywood was one of the safest places and slammed 'few women who derailed' the movement.

Quote

Women should not use it for personal vendetta, says Preity

"I think it is important for women to use it in the right manner. I feel bad when women use the movement for personal vendetta or publicity. There are a small percentage of women who are using it," she said.

Preity's wishes

Preity hopes 'she was assaulted', and nothing defines sick better

Further, when asked if she ever faced harassment in the industry, Preity laughed and said, "I wish I had. Then I would have an answer to give you." She added people treated you the way you wanted to be treated. Notably, Faridoon agreed and said there were instances when women, who were denied a role, turned around and said they were assaulted.

Twitter Post

This clip of the interview proves Preity's skewed logic

Answering questions

Privileged people rarely acknowledge it, Preity shows it

It is surprising how the laugh which captivated us on the silver screen, was this infuriating in this interview. By wishing she was assaulted so 'she would have a story', Preity has disregarded all the women who mustered the courage to speak up. While celebrating her privilege, Preity forgot not all women enjoy the same cover, most have to keep up with harassment every day.

Rebuttal

No Preity, women don't break silence for publicity

If she has paid attention to all stories of assault in Bollywood and still believes 'she is doing it for publicity', Preity's understanding is flawed. Vinta Nanda kept silent for 18 years, Tanushree Dutta for a decade, and accusers of Sajid Khan for many years. These women spoke up because it was important to name harassers, not because they wanted to get famous.

Looking back

Lest we forget: Preity filed harassment case against Ness Wadia

What makes Preity's comment more dismaying is the fact that she filed a complaint against her former boyfriend Ness Wadia. Ness allegedly harassed and manhandled Preity in 2014 during an IPL match and she went to police. She showed photographs of the alleged abuse, and marks on her body. In September, when Ness wanted the case to be quashed, Preity sought more time. For someone who has faced harassment herself, one would expect Preity to be more empathetic. Alas! Life isn't fair.

Speaking up

Preity should definitely learn something from Sonam Kapoor

While Preity was quick to give the (un)acceptable reply in Bollywood, it would have been best if she learned something from Sonam Kapoor. Sonam wrote a piece for Thrive Global India's online portal teaching people how to deal with #MeToo movement. "Yes, a person is innocent until proven guilty but must it come at the cost of rejecting a survivor's account," she had written.

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Meanwhile, Preity has blamed Faridoon for 'editing' the interview