In a recent interview, actress Rekha said that actor Kamal Haasan had kissed her in a scene in the film Punnagai Mannan without her permission. The interview had gone viral on social media.
A group of social media users had even come out with the demand that Kamal Haassan should apologise to Rekha .
Rekha’s words:
“Cinema audience will not believe if I say, that scene was shot without my permission. K Balachandar Sir is not alive now and only Kamal would be able to talk about this. It is the scene in which we both commit suicide from the top of a waterfall.
In between, Sir (K Balachandar) asked whether people keep their eyes open when they commit suicide. He was also heard telling Kamal: “Hope you remember what I told you”.
His decision was that Kamal should kiss me in the next scene. And it happened exactly like that. I told them that my father will create problem… but the then assistant director, Suresh Krishna sir, replied: “Just consider it as a big king kissing a small child”.
They also told me that the scene would not be made to appear vulgar and it would be taken by audience as a reflection of love. But I was worried whether my father would scold me or not but the crew members shifted to the next location as if nothing happened. After the shoot, I told my mother that they had cheated me with a kiss. After the release of the film I revealed this in several interviews, because of which Kamal and Sir were angry with me. However, I was particular about making this public since it was done without my permission,” Rekha explained.
WTF!
— Sangeeth (@Sangeethoffcl) February 23, 2020
This would have made the headlines if it happened in Hollywood. This is proper 'sexual harassment at the workplace'. Worst is, they've even planned it.
But since it's Kamal saaaaar and Balachandar saaaaar, it should be fine I guess. pic.twitter.com/alPAC7eXJy