Choreographer Ganesh faces sexual assault charge from second woman

Days after an assistant dancer filed an FIR against Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya for alleged sexual harassment, another senior background dancer approached the National Commission of Women (NCW) and claimed that she was sexually abused by the choreographer in the 90s. However, Acharya has denied both claims.

According to a media report the woman said the incident happened three decades ago. The victim, who was 18-then used to go to Sahiba Hall in Andheri West where several dance masters took classes and Acharya was the assistant choreographer for Kamal while she was working as a non-member dancer.

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Sharing the incident, the complainant further told that one day, Acharya said it’s mandatory to learn Jive (one of the dance forms) for auditions and invited her to his class in Santacruz East. Acharya’s assistant Dilip picked her up and took her to a room on the first floor of Hotel East and West. Though the victim did not suspect anything at first, Acharya, who on the pretext of teaching her Jive, kissed her neck and cheek.

When she resisted, he threw her on the bed, touched her inappropriately and said that he wanted to make love to her and marry her. The victim who was too terrified told him that she was on her period. Finally, Acharya got off her and said that she spoiled his mood.

This is not the first incident. Earlier, a 33-year-old woman accused Ganesh, who is also the General Secretary of Indian Film and Television Choreographers Association (IFTCA) forced her to watch adult videos and depriving her of work. The woman filed a complaint against him at Maharashtra Women’s Commission and Amboli Police Station.

However, Ganesh denied the claims and said they are tarnishing his image because he took a stand against them.

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According to the Mid Day report, Acharya said, “I have explained in a press conference that some people are tarnishing my image because I took a stand against them. They control trade unions in the industry. My stand against them and in the interest of dancers is causing them losses. Everyone involved in these wrongdoings against me will be exposed. They may do many such things against me, but I will not give up.”

Recently, Tanushree Dutta urged Bollywood industry to boycott the choreographer following the complaint against him.