Known for her roles in the drama series Naagin, she publicly recounted the disturbing experience of harassment in a lengthy note on social media. As she walked toward the stage, multiple men placed their hands on her waist under the pretext of taking photographs, she explained the incident.
“Had an event in Karnal last and I'm disgusted with the behaviour of the guests specially two uncles who are well aged to be grandparents. As the event started and walked towards the stage uncles and family members (all men) put their hands on my waist to click pictures. Didn't like it when I said "sir pl remove your hand",” she wrote.
Roy went on to explain how the situation escalated as she reached the stage. While performing, two elderly men in the front row allegedly made lewd remarks and obscene hand gestures and when she signalled for them to stop, they began throwing roses at her, she added.
“On stage is even a better story. Two uncles stood right front making lewd remarks showing me lewd hand gestures, name calling I realised that and first politely gestured to them don't do it to which they started throwing roses at me. Is when mid performance I walked towards the stage exit but immediately came back to finish my performance. They didn't stop even after that and no family or organisers moved them from up front,” the actor continued.
Roy voiced concern not only for herself but also for other women in the profession who may be in similar situations.
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Urging authorities to address such ‘intolerable conduct’, she said, “If someone like me has to go through this I can only imagine what new girls starting to work and do shows must be. I'm humiliated traumatised and want the authorities to take action for this intolerable behaviour.”
“We are artists trying to earn an honest living through our craft. Wonder what these men would do if their friends behaved the same with their daughters, sisters or any family members shame on you!”
She added that the stage was at a height and the men were filming her from low angles. When others intervened to stop them, the men reportedly used abusive language.
Roy emphasised that she rarely shares negative personal experiences but felt compelled to speak up because of the sheer ‘guts’ and ‘entitlement’ displayed by the men.
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“I love my country our people our traditions but this? The guts. The entitlement of being men. O never put up anything negative i go through. But this. Have no words. Have no expression or abuse that would make any sense for this behaviour. We as actors go to these events to wish the bride and the groom to add to their celebration. We are their guests and they harrass us like this. Yuk,” she concluded.
Roy, also known for featuring in films such as Gold and Made in China, was most recently seen in the espionage thriller series Salakaar. She will next be seen in Vishwambhara and Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
