Bollywood singer Anu Malik, who has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women including singer Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit, has now released a statement announcing his break from the reality show Indian Idol Season 10.
In a media statement, he said:
“I, Anu Malik, have decided to take a break from Indian Idol as I am currently unable to focus on my work, my music and the show.”
Sony TV took the matter of sexual harassment allegations very seriously.
In an internal meeting had asked Anu to step down as the judge until further investigation.
The meeting took place after two more survivors spoke anonymously against Malik accusing him of sexual harassment.
Malik has been denying the reports.
Meanwhile, former Indian Idol assistant Danica D’Souza also opened up on the same and alleged that higher authorities on the show were aware of Malik’s abuse of power.
With regards to Shweta Pandit’s claim, Anu vehemently denied it calling it “baseless” while he refused to even recognise who Sona is.
Recently, while recounting her horrific experiences, one of the survivors said that she met the singer at Mehboob Studios in 1990 where he was recording a song.
In that meeting, the music composer ‘rubbed his body’ against her and when she expressed shock at his behaviour, he apologized meekly.
Later, while she was coordinating with Anu about a fundraiser and went to meet him at his residence with her friend, Anu introduced her to his wife and his daughter.
A few days later, he called her to his house for another meeting and this time the survivor went alone.
He tried to get cosy and “lifted her skirt and dropped his pants.”
He later apologised yet again saying he is a “passionate” person, the survivor said.
An investigation is expected to take place.
