Bollywood's Khan Eyes Hit As Dwarf

Friday 21 Lifestyle | Feature Friday, December 21, 2018 other mistakes. He apparently told another accuser, Mimi Weinstein back Haleyi, who says Weinstein forced her into oral sex in 2006, to delete text messages in court seeking that could be potentially embarrassing for her, despite prosecutors’ advice not to do so. Prosecutors also apparently failed to dismissal of sex disclose to the defense affectionate text messages Haleyi sent to Weinstein after the alleged assault, which would have intro- assault case duced a notion of doubt about the forced nature of the encounter. ould Harvey Weinstein, public enemy Prosecutors nevertheless want the case Cnumber one of the #MeToo move- to continue and reject Brafman’s motion that ment. end up walking away a free the process is beyond repair. They say man? The onetime Hollywood heavyweight everything in Haleyi’s mobile phone was producer will be back in a New York court- turned over to investigators, and that the de- room as his star attorney Ben Brafman asks tective’s conduct only affected Evans’ case. Indian Bollywood actors Anushka Sharma (left), a judge to dismiss the sex assault charges DiGaudio has since been removed from the Katrina Kaif (center) and Shah Rukh Khan (right) Indian Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan (left), Ka- against his client. Brafman says police mis- case. As for emails, prosecutors say they are are seen on stage during the promotion of the trina Kaif (center), Anushka Sharma (right) and Man- conduct, specifically the work of one inves- not obliged to share any of those with the Hindi film ‘Zero’ at the Indian television singing ish Paul (behind) during the promotion of the Hindi tigator, has “irreparably tainted” the case. defense at this stage of the proceedings. reality show ‘Indian Idol’ 10th season grand finale He will face off with prosecutors before film ‘Zero’. in Mumbai. — AFP photos Manhattan criminal court Judge James ‘Psychological coercion’ Burke for a hearing that could be a game Nevertheless, since October, many ex- changer for the 66-year-old Weinstein, who perts speculate that the case against Wein- Hero or Zero? Bollywood’s could face life in prison if convicted. stein has suffered a serious blow Some even suggest that prosecutors will eventually cave, as they did in dismissing sex assault charges brought against former IMF chief Khan eyes hit as dwarf Dominique Strauss-Kahn-also defended by Brafman-in 2011. Barbara Barron, a profes- ollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s latest romantic hero alongside much younger actresses sor at Hofstra University School of Law, says Bfilm releases this week with the acclaimed can jar with audiences. His “Zero” co-stars Sharma the detective’s conduct created a “surprise” actor, who plays a dwarf, seeking a hit after and Kaif are 30 and 35 respectively. Some indus- in the Weinstein case. an underwhelming run at the box office. “Zero”, try watchers have tipped “Zero” for success, “The issue to me is how much taint... how hitting cinemas on Friday, sees the Hindi movie though. Vajir Singh, editor of Bollywood website much the police officer’s actions influence icon, miniaturized with special effects, caught up “Box Office India”, told AFP that Khan and Rai, the other charges,” Barron told AFP. “I dont in a love triangle alongside a wheelchaired known for romantic flicks “Raanjhanaa” (Beloved know what the judge will consider.” For Anushka Sharma. Director Aanand L Rai believes One) and “Tanu Weds Manu”, are a “win-win Harvey Weinstein Bennett Gershman, a former prosecutor who he brought the larger than life actor, nicknamed combination”. teaches law at Pace University, prosecutors “King Khan”, out of his comfort zone to play a The film also includes a cameo role by leg- threw out the charge related to Evans pre- character three feet (90 centimeters) tall. “This endary actress Sridevi Kapoor who died from ac- Though one charge against him has been cisely to avoid contaminating the rest of the kind of story about a man’s journey and his love cidental drowning in a Dubai hotel room bathtub thrown out, Weinstein-who was arrested in case. “I know Brafman is going to argue to story needed someone like him. By casting him, we in February aged 54. Khan will have just one week May-is still facing five counts over an al- dismiss the whole indictment. He is going to challenged Mr. Khan to show us what he could to woo cinema-goers, however, with the Rohit leged rape in March 2013 and a forced act lose that without any doubt,” Gershman said do,” Rai told AFP. Shetty-directed “Simmba” set to release in the- of oral sex in 2006. The disgraced movie He added that he still believes prosecu- “Zero”-which is heavy on special effects-sees atres on December 28. mogul has been accused by more than 80 tors have a solid case with the two remain- Sharma play a NASA scientist with cerebral palsy women of sexual misconduct. He insists that ing accusers, no matter what they said to and Katrina Kaif portray a Bollywood actress with all of his sexual liaisons were consensual and Weinstein after the alleged assaults. “These a drink problem. Bauua Singh, played by Khan, is is free on $1 million bail. But the scandal up- women saying nice things to Weinstein- struggling to find a wife because of his height but ended his career and Weinstein became the would that surprise anybody? You have a develops close bonds with both women as he poster boy for a cascade of abuse accusa- hugely powerful man (...) who literally con- searches for his true love. It is Khan’s first movie tions against powerful men in Hollywood, trolled their reputation and their careers,” since “Jab Harry Met Sejal” bombed last year. The the media and other industries. Gershman said. If the case is not thrown out, actor’s “Raees” (2017) and “Fan” (2016) also didn’t His arrest and arraignments have led Brafman will likely argue for all other Wein- do as well as hoped. #MeToo campaigners to hope that the stein accusers to be barred from testifying. The 53-year-old’s last undisputed blockbuster twice-married father of five will be put on In the case against veteran television star was “Dilwale” (The Big Hearted) in 2015 and with Indian Bollywood actors Katrina Kaif (left), Shah trial, convicted and sent to prison. But Braf- Bill Cosby, the depositions of five women “Zero” reported to cost a hefty two billion rupees Rukh Khan (center) and Anushka Sharma (right) man, one of America’s most celebrated de- who did not bring complaints against him ($26.5 million) it may be starting to prey on his pose for photographs during the promotion of the fense attorneys, has made several dents in were admitted into evidence for his second mind. “If people feel that ‘Zero’ is very important Hindi film ‘Zero’. the prosecution’s case, including getting one trial. Cosby was convicted and sentenced for me, it’s their feeling,” Khan told the Hindustan count of a forced act of oral sex in 2004 — to at least three years in prison in the first Times in a recent interview. “God forbid, if this film The action movie stars Ranveer Singh, one of lodged by former actress Lucia Evans- court win for the #MeToo movement. If the doesn’t work, what will happen? Maybe, I won’t several bankable younger stars who are challeng- thrown out in October. judge decides to allow the case to continue, get work for six months or 10 months, but if I be- ing the hegemony of the Khans of Bollywood at he could set a trial date on Thursday. If that lieve that my craft and art is good, I will continue the box office. For over two decades the triumvi- Avalanche of mistakes happens, Gershman says the jury will have to get work,” he added. Khan shot to fame in the rate of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Prosecutors opted not to pursue the to decide: “Did they consent or did they mid-90s as the romantic hero of hits like “Dilwale Khan have dominated film receipts. But with charge, after it emerged that one detective consent involuntarily?” “If these women tes- Dulhania Le Jayenge” (The Brave-hearted Will Aamir’s “Thugs of Hindostan” and Salman’s “Race who worked on the investigation had failed tify strongly on the witness stand, Weinstein Take The Bride) and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” 3” both rated among the worst films of 2018, the to disclose witness testimony that contra- will lose,” he predicted. — AFP (Something Happens). jury is still out whether Shah Rukh will record a dicted Evans’s account. A friend of Evans dud or a hit. “Just because two Khans had flops, said she had heard her say that she had will- Win-win? doesn’t mean the third one will too,” Hindi film ingly engaged in oral sex with Weinstein to Critics say Khan-a ubiquitous presence in ad- trade analyst Komal Nahta told AFP. “Audiences secure a movie role. Brafman said the detec- vertising-has struggled to transition away from are not tired of the Khans. They are just looking tive in question, Nicholas DiGaudio, made those roles and find a new niche for himself as he for fresh and good content,” he added. — AFP has gotten older. They point out that playing the.

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