Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Television actress Shilpa Shinde has come under intense criticism on social media after revealing during a recent podcast that the sexual harassment allegations she made against the producer of the popular TV show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! in 2016 were false.
The revelation sparked widespread debate online, with several users and organizations demanding action against the actress. Reports suggest that the National Council for Men also sought action over the alleged filing of a false harassment complaint.
Responding to the controversy, Shinde shared a video on Instagram, stating that she stands by her decision to admit the truth and is not affected by the negative comments directed at her. She argued that many people formed opinions based on a short clip from the podcast without understanding the full context of her remarks.
The actress said she could have spoken about the issue years ago while she was working on the show but chose to address it now because she no longer wanted to live with what she described as a lie. According to Shinde, her intention was not to justify herself publicly but to be honest with her own conscience.
Shinde also claimed that she was going through an extremely difficult phase at the time and felt she had no other option. She revealed that she had struggled with severe emotional distress and had even contemplated suicide during that period.
Expressing regret, the actress said the producer involved was aware of the circumstances surrounding the incident. While acknowledging that saying “sorry” may not be enough, she maintained that her actions were influenced by the mental state she was in at the time.
Defending herself further, Shinde said she did not make the admission for financial gain and was prepared to face criticism. She added that while some producers continue to work despite allegedly mistreating artists, actors are often expected to remain silent.
In the caption accompanying her video, Shinde accused critics of judging her based on a single statement without watching the entire podcast. She thanked supporters who had tried to understand her perspective and alleged that the backlash was being amplified through a “paid PR campaign.”
The controversy stems from comments made by Shinde during a podcast hosted by comedians Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa, where she discussed the circumstances that led her to make the allegations and admitted that the harassment claim itself was false.
