#MeToo: ‘Sacred Games’ actress Elnaaz Norouzi accuses director Vipul Shah of sexual misconduct

Remember the Iranian actress Elnaaz Norouzi who appeared in the Netflix series ‘Sacred Games’? Now she has come up with her Me Too story in which she has accused ‘Namaste England’ director Vipul Shah. She recalled the incident and narrated it to Mid-Day. She said that the director tried to touch her in an inappropriate manner and tried to kiss her many times. Elnaaz also said that she was even considered for a role in ‘Namaste England’ that hit the theatres on Thursday.

Narrating the incident to the daily, Elnaaz said that she met Vipul Shah during the pre-production of ‘Namaste England’. The manager told her she had been selected as the second lead of the movie that was earlier offered to Jacqueline Fernandez. Later on, when she met Vipul, he said that they need to have her look test done and sign the papers. At that point of time, Elnaaz didn’t audition for the film. A few days later her audition was taken on Versova beach.

“I met him again in his office, and he said, “We will sign the papers over the next couple of days.” This time, when we were saying bye, he came on to me. It was too close for comfort. I didn’t get the right vibe. He gave a peck on my face. I didn’t expect it,” Elnaaz said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo8UlWhn9Ji/?taken-by=_iamelnaaz_

“The next time we met at his office, he tried to kiss me. I backed off, said, ‘What are you doing? We are in your office!’ I pushed him away, being affirmative; but careful enough not to come across as rude, because I really wanted the film,” added the actress.

Elnaaz said Vipul called her for the shooting of ‘Namaste England’ in Patiala without even signing the film. “He said, “Come to my room. I will make you hear the script.” At this point, he touched my butt and dragged me towards himself. I dodged him, went to my room, and sat there wondering if I should just give in,” she said.

Later on, when Elnaaz signed for ‘Sacred Games’ Vipul tried to make her quit it. “He said that he would launch me in a big way. It was a girl-next-door part in ‘Namaste England’, and that he was clear he would not be able to cast me, as a result of ‘Sacred Games’, and that I should skip the offer since they would make me do nude scenes.” added the actress

Elnaaz even accused Vipu of mentally torturing her for three months. “It was evident that if I slept with Vipul, I would get the part. Every time I went to his office, he tried (to hit) on me. He (would) inappropriately touch me, and (try to) kiss me,” she said.

We wonder what Vipul has to say about these allegations now.

Also Read: Saif Ali Khan shares his #MeToo story; says he was harassed 25 years ago