‘I’m Very Hurt And Sad’: Preity Zinta Clears The Air Once Again After Receiving Flak For Comments On #MeToo

Preity Zinta has clarified once again in posts on social media after her comments on the #MeToo movement got flak. When asked about the movement, the actor had said smilingly “I wish something like this would have happened to me.” The ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ star had later cleared the air by saying that the interview was ‘edited to trivialise and be insensitive’ after netizens accused her of ‘victim shaming, victim blaming’ and 'trivialising' the movement.   

She started her post by apologising to all the women for ‘unintentionally’ hurting their sentiments on the #MeToo movement. Calling herself ‘someone who has gone through abuse’, Preity said it was ‘ironic’ to clarify. The actor also called herself ‘huge supporter of the movement’ and reiterated that her comments were ‘taken out of context.’  

READ: #MeToo | Preity Zinta Faces Ire After 'Mocking' The Movement, Says "I Wish I Had Experienced It"

On her controversial quote, “I wish something like this would have happened to me” which she said with a smile, the ‘Dil Se’ star said she wished that way so that she could have reacted by slapping the person. 

The actor seems to have hinted at the molestation complaint she had filed against Ness Wadia, a case that was quashed by the court only last month after they reached a settlement. Preity said she had reacted then and ‘the whole world saw it.’ She added that not every person who is abused is in a position to ‘fight back’ and that she didn’t want to ‘marginalize’ the victims. 

On her statement “Aaj ki Sweety kal ki MeToo ho sakti hai”, she clarified that that was not her line, and that she was quoting a man who stated how the movement has made men more cautious in their approach to women at work. 

On her smile adding to the social media backlash, the ‘Soldier’ star stated that it was because it was an interview and because she was promoting her movie.  

Preity added that she doesn’t want the movement ‘diluted with false accusations’ as she said her brother (cousin) faced the same situation and ‘eventually shot himself.’ On the movement, the actor added that women should not be ‘victim shamed’ but ‘encouraged to come forward’ and at the same time, men should not be ‘automatically vilified either.’ 

READ: After #MeToo Backlash, Preity Zinta Claims Interview Was Insensitively Edited 

With the above experiences, she asserted about seeing both sides of the coin and that she was ‘very hurt and sad’ about having to write a ‘long clarification’ when she has ‘advocated and fought’ for women’s rights all her life. She concluded per post by hoping that there is more trust, especially from women, as there can be a movement only when women come together. 

Here’s Preity’s post: