Mumbai: “In every reality show you’re given a script. You are told what you have to do so you have to go with the makers,” (sic) admitted Parineeti Chopra in the media, about her sexual harassment prank on Bigg Boss.
Blaming the creative team of the channel for her moves, she apologized for being insensitive. “The intention was never to hurt sentiments or trivialise the matter of inappropriate behaviour towards women. We apologise to those who got hurt, but maintain that this was a prank, and should not be taken so seriously,” (sic) she said.
It can be recalled that Bigg Boss participant Sonali Raut had accused Ali Quli Mirza of sexual harassment, when he slid his hand under the rug to feel her leg one night, as she lay on the bed, chatting up with Upen Patel on Bigg Boss.
Sonali who pushed Ali away, said she could have slapped or hit him for inappropriately touching her without her consent. It became a serious issue and Ali lost his captaincy in Bigg Boss and was nominated for next week’s eviction on the show by the Boss himself.
But when Parneeti Chopra came to Bigg Boss for movie promotions with Ranveer Singh, Pakistani actor Ali Zafar and Govinda for Kill Dil, surprisingly the issue was mocked at in Govinda’s presence with Salman Khan. A drama ensued between Parineeti and Ali Quli Mirza, where the actress, in jest, blamed Ali for touching her inappropriately.
“Celebrities go a long way in influencing and shaping the fabric of society, so utmost sensitivity is essential in such matters,” says Sonali’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar. Coincidently, Dale is the same PR specialist who has handled the media for Govinda as well as for Parineeti’s cousin Priyanka Chopra during her initial years in Bollywood.