Shilpa Shinde has landed in a major controversy after she admitted that the sexual harassment complaint she had filed against Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! producer Sanjay Kohli was false. The confession, made during a podcast, has triggered a wave of backlash from fans, fellow actors, and industry bodies. Questions are now being raised about whether any formal action will be taken against her.
Ashoke Pandit Slams Shilpa Shinde
Filmmaker and FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit strongly condemned the revelation, saying, “Sexual harassment is a very serious allegation, and using it as a weapon to settle personal or professional disputes is deeply wrong.”
Pandit further told SCREEN that even if a producer chose to stay silent to protect the livelihoods of the entire crew, that does not give a false accuser any free pass. He warned that false allegations can destroy a person’s reputation, career, and mental well-being.
Shilpa Shinde
He also stressed that every fake complaint makes it harder for genuine victims to be taken seriously. He called it completely unacceptable when someone knowingly uses such allegations for personal gain or to win a professional dispute.
However, he did not state whether FWICE will take any action against Shilpa.
All About Shilpa Shinde’s False Accusation Row
‘s exit from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! in 2016 was one of Indian television’s biggest controversies. She left the show over a dispute involving unpaid dues and contractual disagreements, after which she filed a sexual harassment complaint against producer Sanjay Kohli.
The complaint caused serious damage to Kohli’s reputation. However, during a recent podcast, Shinde admitted that the complaint was false, adding that she had no other option at the time to protect her livelihood.
Shinde has since claimed her words were misunderstood and that people are reacting without knowing the full story. She posted a video on Instagram, alleging that a negative PR campaign is being run against her. She also revealed the emotional state she was in at the time, stating she had been contemplating suicide during the dispute. She further clarified that she never allowed the police to arrest Kohli because she knew the complaint was false.
The 2016 dispute was eventually resolved and Shinde received her pending payments. Both sides had reportedly agreed not to speak about each other publicly. Years later, Shinde even returned to the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! franchise, saying she now shares a positive equation with the makers.