
While Hollywood is rocked by the
Harvey Weinstein scandal, Irrfan Khan said things are not that
different in Bollywood as he was asked to compromise in his
intial days. Without taking names, the actor, 50, said he has been at
the receiving end of such proposals.
"It has happened with me a lot of times. It won't be good
to take names but a lot of times it has been hinted to me and
sometimes I have been told clearly that if I compromise I'll
get the job. But now it doesn't happen," he said during a
media interaction here.
Irrfan said such things are tricky, especially when they
come from the people one knows. "It (invitation) has come from both, males and females.
It becomes slightly weird because when people you know and
respect a lot, give you such offers, you feel that the
dynamics of the relationship will change. That's the sad part. But I have the power to accept or refuse them."
Recently New York Times did a detailed expose of
Weinstein's alleged sexual misconduct. More than 50 women have
come forward after the October 5 report.
Irrfan, who has worked in major Hollywpod projects such
as "Jurassic World" and "Life of Pi", said anything that
happens without mutual consent should be condemned.
"You do experience these things. A person might propose
'If you sleep with me I'll give you work', but you have the
power to say no. Such indications are given to both men and
women, but women face it more. Yes, if it is happening without
consent or forcefully, then it's extremely saddening," he
said.
"If there is a person who is repeatedly doing these
things, he must be exposed. It's necessary to talk about him."
The actor said the way a person behaves is also a
reflection of the society.
"To sexually exploit someone is a disease in itself. It
reflects the dynamics of our society - that it's sexually
supressed. As far as sexual exploitations go, the one who has
more power, will exploit the other gender.
"... Exploitation is not the key factor, it's the
suppression. People should be allowed to mingle. The
government or any other body is no one to pass judgements," he
added. He was speaking at the song launch of his latest film
"Qarib Qarib Singlle".