My oh my! He is the director of one of the most critically-acclaimed and commercially successful films in recent times — Queen. But all the respect that he gained after making that movie has gone out the window.

Vikas Bahl has been accused of sexually harassing a woman who works in the production company that he holds stakes in (Anurag Kashyup and Vikramadtya Motwane are the other stakeholders). After investigating the matter, the director was asked by the company on March 28 to step down from his position. According to one source, the woman who accused Vikas B was not the only one he tried to take advantage of; there have been ‘multiple victims.’

Vikas B, on the other hand, has denied the report and clams he is still working for the same production house. Either way, the director will now need a ‘royal’ effort to mend his reputation.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 16th, 2017