Amid #MeToo allegations, Anu Malik removed as judge on Indian Idol 10

With several women, including singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit, levelling allegations of sexual harassment against Anu Malik, the music composer has been removed as a judge on the ongoing Season 10 of reality show ‘Indian Idol’. 

In an official statement issued, Sony Entertainment Television, which airs ‘Indian Idol 10’, said, “Anu Malik is no longer a part of the ‘Indian Idol’ jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule and we will invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal and Neha to judge ‘Indian Idol season 10’.” 

The M&E and advertising industry is beginning to take corrective and affirmative action against those who have been accused of sexual harassment in a fallout of India’s #MeToo movement. 

Last week, Anirban Blah, talent manager and Founder of Kwan Entertainment, tried to commit suicide after a slew of complaints of sexual harassment against him. 

Dentsu Aegis Network has removed quite a few senior level executions of Happy Creative Services, including its CEO and MD, following #MeToo allegations. 

Earlier, production house Phantom Film was dissolved after one of its former women employees accused one of its founders, Vikas Bahl, of sexually harassing her. 

Sajid Khan has had to step down as director of ‘Housefull 4’ and so has its cast member Nana Patekar following #MeToo allegations. 

In the television space, this is perhaps the first instance since the #MeToo movement gained momentum in India. One may recall, that earlier singer Papon had to step down as a judge on the talent hunt show, ‘The Voice India – Kids’, after a Facebook video showing Papon kissing a minor girl contestant of the show during Holi celebrations on the sets.