Navina Bole, recognized for her roles in popular shows like Ishqbaaz and Mile Jab Hum Tum, recently shared a disturbing encounter involving director Sajid Khan. During an interview with Subhojit Ghosh on his YouTube channel, Navina disclosed shocking details of how Sajid asked her to remove her clothes during a meeting at his residence. She described Sajid as a “terrible man” who displayed a lack of respect towards women in the industry.
Recalling the distressing incident, Navina recounted that Sajid Khan had summoned her to his house while he was working on the film Heyy Baby. She expressed her initial excitement at the opportunity but was taken aback when Sajid made inappropriate demands, asking her to strip down to her lingerie to assess her comfort level. The actress highlighted the discomfort she felt during the encounter, emphasizing that it occurred in the early 2000s when she was associated with gladrags.
Contrary to Navina’s expectations, the meeting did not take place at Sajid Khan’s office but at his residence. She found solace in having someone waiting for her downstairs during the unsettling ordeal. Navina detailed Sajid’s crude remarks, recalling his dismissive attitude towards her concerns. Despite feeling pressured, she managed to extricate herself from the situation, declining to comply with his inappropriate request.
Navina further revealed that Sajid Khan persisted in his advances, contacting her multiple times following the initial encounter. A year later, while she was participating in Mrs. India, Sajid reached out to her again, displaying a lack of recollection regarding their previous interaction. This persistence and disregard for boundaries underscored Navina’s negative perception of Sajid’s behavior and intentions.
The distressing incident involving Navina Bole and Sajid Khan is emblematic of the broader issue of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. In 2018, Sajid Khan faced serious allegations of misconduct from several women amid India’s #MeToo movement. The prevalence of such incidents underscores the urgent need for a more respectful and safe work environment for women in the film industry.
Navina’s courage in speaking out about her experience with Sajid Khan sheds light on the importance of addressing systemic gender-based discrimination and harassment in the entertainment sector. Her account serves as a reminder of the power dynamics and challenges that actors, particularly women, often face in navigating their careers while confronting inappropriate behavior.
As the industry continues to reckon with issues of harassment and exploitation, Navina Bole’s story adds to the growing chorus of voices advocating for greater accountability and change. By sharing her ordeal, she contributes to a broader conversation on creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for all professionals in the entertainment realm.