#MeToo accused Anu Malik steps down; takes a break from Indian Idol 11

While there have been speculations about whether Anu Malik will continue as a judge in the ongoing season of 'Indian Idol', BT has it that the composer-singer has voluntarily decided to step down. Recently, singer Sona Mohapatra had penned an open letter on social media against him. Neha Bhasin, too, accused him of sexual misconduct in the past. (By: Neha Maheshwri)

This is the second time that he is stepping down from the show. Last year, too, Anu had exited the show midway, following #MeToo allegations against him.

Talking to BT, Anu confirmed, “I have taken this decision voluntarily. I want to take a three-week break from the show and get back to it only after I have cleared my name. While the channel has been supportive, it’s solely my decision to take this break.” He added, “All I want to say is that before jumping to a conclusion, it’s important to hear the other side as well.”

The composer said that he has written a letter to the Music Composers Association of India (MCAI) regarding his stand on the issue. “I have requested them to forward my letter to the Singers Association of India (SAI), asking them to come and explain themselves,” he said.

Recently, the famous music composer had written an open letter addressing the #MeToo allegations against him. "It has been over a year that I have been accused of something that I haven’t done. I have been silent all this while I was waiting for the truth to surface on its own. But I realise that my silence on the matter has been misconstrued as my weakness. Ever since the false and unverified allegations were levelled against me, it has not only ruined my reputation, but affected me and my family’s mental health, left us traumatized and tarnished my career. I feel helpless, like I am being cornered and suffocated. It’s disgraceful that at this age, at this stage in my life I have to watch the most slanderous words and horrifying incidents being associated with my name. Why wasn’t this spoken about before? Why do these allegations resurface only when I am back on television, which is currently my only source of livelihood? Being a father of two daughters, I can’t imagine committing the acts that I am accused of, let alone do it….”

After Anu Malik's letter, Sona Mohapatra, who had accused the Indian Idol judge of sexual misconduct, had responded. Sona shared a letter with 8 points, explaining everything Malik had blamed her for, in his letter. The singer shared how fellow colleagues including Shweta Pandit and Neha Bhasin have also accused him of inappropriate behaviour. She also slammed for calling Indian Idol as his only source of income, and said he cannot be a role model for youngsters. Sona advised Malik to "take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling or somewhere to reflect on how to behave better.

While Sona had written open letters accusing the makers of Indian Idol for bringing back Anu Malik as the judge. Neha Bhasin supported Sona in her tweets.

Later, singers Hema Sardesai, Sonu Nigam and Kashmera Shah had come to Indian Idol 11 judge Anu Malik's defence. But Sona wrote an open letter against Hema Sardesai as well and lambasted musicians and singers like Vishal Dadlani, Neha Kakar, Sonu Nigam and others.

Last year, Anu Malik was ousted from Indian Idol due to the allegations laid against him by Sona Mohapatra and other women who had worked with him. Singer Alisha Chinai had also accused Anu Malik of molesting her during the shooting of her hit track Made in India. Singer Shweta Pandit had also accused Malik of sexually harassing her when she was 15.

Anu Malik was asked to leave the show last year. He was part of it since inception. "The show will continue its planned schedule and we will invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal (Dadlani) and Neha (Kakkar) to judge the extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10," read the statement issued by the channel.