Cinema VinesIn the early hours of August 8, 2024, 73‑year‑old Bollywood director Shakeel Noorani was taken into custody by the Malvani Police after a complaint was filed by a 33‑year‑old actress alleging rape and sexual assault. The actress claims that Noorani lured her to his Malvani residence under the pretext of discussing a film project, drugged her with a sedative, and repeatedly sexually assaulted her. He is also accused of threatening her with a video he allegedly recorded and of giving her contraceptive pills after the encounters.
The case, registered under Sections 64(2)(M), 123, 351(2) and 88 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, was traced to a farmhouse in Medha, Satara district. Noorani was subsequently brought to Mumbai and remanded in police custody by the Borivali Holiday Court until August 12. The complaint dates back to 2016, when the actress first met Noorani at an award show in Lokhandwala and was later invited to his home to review a script. She alleges that after consuming a drink he provided, she became unconscious, and that he used a video as a tool of intimidation, warning her not to approach the police or her family.
According to the FIR, the actress returned to Mumbai in 2026 seeking financial assistance for medical treatment related to the alleged abuse. Noorani’s lawyer, Vikas Singh Goar, has defended his client, stating that the allegations have not yet been proven in court and that Noorani is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Police are continuing to investigate whether the alleged offences occurred at other locations and are gathering further evidence to ascertain the full extent of the case. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of power dynamics within the Indian film industry, highlighting the challenges faced by actresses who report misconduct.
