Nawazuddin Siddiqui, renowned for his versatility in Hindi cinema, recently created a stir at the NBT Utsav awards night in Mumbai. Notably, he garnered attention for seemingly ignoring fellow actress Chitrangda Singh, highlighting the ongoing tension stemming from past allegations related to the MeToo movement.
At the event, Nawazuddin interacted warmly with various guests, exchanging pleasantries and handshakes with actors like Ishaan Khatter, Sidhant Chaturvedi, and Shefali Shah. However, when he encountered Chitrangda, he walked by without acknowledging her, prompting reactions on social media. Users noted their past collaboration in the film industry and speculated on the lack of civility between the two.
The friction between the two actors traces back to a troubling incident in 2018 during the filming of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. Chitrangda alleged that director Kushan Nandy had harassed her by using inappropriate language and coercing her to perform an intimate scene she was uncomfortable with. Nawazuddin was present during this episode but reportedly did not support her, which later led to her departure from the project.
Chitrangda revisited the incident amidst the #MeToo discussions, arguing that the absence of support from prominent figures in the industry emboldens harassers. She recounted that Nawazuddin and others present failed to advocate for her, and added that comments made during the film’s promotional events were dismissive of her experience.
In contrast, director Kushan Nandy refuted Chitrangda’s claims, asserting that she walked away from the film due to creative differences and even considered pursuing legal action against her. Nawazuddin echoed Nandy’s sentiments, labeling the allegations as misrepresentations and praising the director’s character.
Despite their complicated history, Nawazuddin and Chitrangda managed to collaborate subsequently in the crime thriller Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders. The dynamics surrounding their interactions continue to evolve, underlined by the larger conversations about consent and accountability in the film industry.