The country has been gripped by a string of sexual allegations against prominent personalities after the #MeToo movement hit India. After the various film and media personalities, including stand up comics, being outed by women on the accusation of sexual harassment, the latest to be accused is comedian Varun Grover.
Varun Grover. Man. Why. #metoo #believeher #timesup pic.twitter.com/ZSczpo4PMJ
— hk {on a hiatus} (@PedestrianPoet) 9 October 2018
The story narrated by the victim anonymously dates back to 2001 when Varun Grover was the victim’s senior in Benaras Hindu University. The victims recount that Varun was the head of the dramatics society and she looked up to him for his skills.
She says that one afternoon, Varun inviter her to rehearse for the annual fest and had told her that she reminded him of Tillotama, the Apsara. Varun Grover had told her that he was writing a play and she would be the lead role as Tillotama.
She said that they finally met at a music club where he was to give her insights into what role she is to play. He said that she was to play a character which was playful and childlike but also destructive.
She says he kept calling himself Vishwakarma which she at the time thought was a joke. She said that he asked her to walk towards him from a distance with her arms extended, which she thought was play acting. He then snuck up behind her and grinded against her which made her feel terribly uncomfortable.
The victim says that she pushed him away and yet, he held her hand and said he was Vishwakarma and she was Tillotama.
Varun Grover has denied these allegations categorically. He has said that these statements are defamatory and untrue and that he will post a detailed response shortly.
I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least. Issuing a detailed statement soon.
— वरुण (@varungrover) October 9, 2018
