Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has issued an official statement after Homebound cinematographer Pratik Shah was accused of sexual misconduct. The allegations, made public by filmmaker Abhinav Singh and supported by testimonies from over 20 women, describe Shah’s behaviour as abusive, emotionally manipulative, and sexually inappropriate.
Singh took to social media to call out Shah, alleging that the cinematographer had repeatedly made unsolicited advances toward women, including asking for nude photos and offering to send his own. The accusations went viral, prompting Shah to deactivate his social media accounts amid mounting backlash.
In response to the controversy, Dharma Productions released a formal statement addressing the issue. The statement read:
“At Dharma Productions, we have a zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment towards any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously. Mr Pratik Shah was a freelancer on the project Homebound and was working on it for a limited period. His engagement with us has been completed. During this limited period, our internal committee for POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) didn’t receive any complaints against him from any cast or crew on our film Homebound.”
The production house clarified that Shah’s role in Homebound was temporary and that there had been no internal reports of misconduct during his engagement with the film.
Meanwhile, Homebound recently screened at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where Shah had been present before the allegations surfaced. The Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective (IWCC) has also revealed that concerns about Shah’s behaviour had emerged four years ago. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a young cinematographer had once approached a senior IWCC member after Shah allegedly asked for her nude photos during a professional exchange. At the time, Shah apologized after being confronted by the IWCC.
Singh, who has directed acclaimed short films like Sita and Yatri Kripya Dhyan De, stated that he came forward after multiple women confided in him, calling Shah a “predator.”
As the industry reacts to the allegations, the controversy has ignited discussions around accountability, workplace safety, and the need for stricter enforcement of sexual harassment protocols in film production environments. Dharma’s prompt response underscores a growing demand for transparency and zero tolerance in the industry.
Sources By Agencies
