The fate of India’s first original web series, Sacred Games, which was scheduled to return for a second installment, is undecided after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against its writer, Varun Grover.
According to reports in Indian media, streaming giant Netflix, in a statement said, “At this time, we are evaluating options on the path forward.”
Grover has been accused of allegedly harassing a woman during his college days. The woman shared her story anonymously on Twitter in the wake of #MeToo movement in India. However, Grover has denied all the charges and put out a detailed official statement clarifying and negating every single detail in the alleged accusation.
“I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least. Issuing a detailed statement soon,” he tweeted.
I completely, totally, categorically deny all the allegations being made. The screenshot in question is untrue, misleading, and defamatory to say the least. Issuing a detailed statement soon.
— वरुण (@varungrover) October 9, 2018
In the detailed account he wrote, “Here’s my detailed statement about the completely fabricated, misleading, and defamatory allegations against me. Am absolutely willing to cooperate and clear my name. Let’s not allow such agenda-driven tactics to derail this movement please.”
Here’s my detailed statement about the completely fabricated, misleading, and defamatory allegations against me. Am absolutely willing to cooperate and clear my name. Let’s not allow such agenda-driven tactics to derail this movement please. pic.twitter.com/VTFeIjygcl
— वरुण (@varungrover) October 9, 2018
Sacred Games, starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead, was Netflix’s first original in India and received a tremendous response. For the second season, Netflix had already announced that Anurag Kashyap and Neeraj Ghaywan would be directing the series with Vikramaditya Motwane being the show-runner.
Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap’s fellow business partner, director Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual harassment last week following which his company Phantom Films announced its dissolution. The filmmaker has also been at the receiving end of questions as to why he did not do anything about the complaint.