A Delhi-based aspiring actor has come forward to talk about how Bollywood producer Karim Morani drugged and raped her when she was 21. The woman, who is 25 now, revealed the harrowing ordeal she went through after he used blackmail to get her to do his bidding. In a recent interview she revealed that he threatened he would get her eliminated by the underworld, and questioned how big stars like actor Shah Rukh Khan can still work with him.
In an interview with Republic TV, the woman, who knew the Morani family and had moved to Mumbai in 2014 to pursue an acting career in films, recalled how Karim, who has produced films like Chennai Express, Ra.One and Happy New Year, abused her.
“Morani came home around 7pm with a bottle of wine. I didn’t drink but he forced me to drink. Next thing I know, I wake up at 4am. I was numb and shocked. Physically and mentally, I was in a state of shock. Karim was not there. I saw there were marks on my body when I woke up,” she was quoted as saying.
The woman further revealed that she confronted Karim, but he only laughed, and when he began stalking her, she felt trapped and terrified. She said the producer warned her that if she told anyone he would go after her and get her eliminated by the underworld.
“I found the courage and called him next day. I confronted him and asked him – what did you do to me? I told him I’d call his wife and brother. He just laughed over the phone. Can’t forget that laughter. I felt helpless. I was 21.
“Morani told me he clicked my pictures. He said if you try and call anyone, I’ll get you killed by the underworld. Morani was linked to the underworld. He called me again in October 2015. He wanted me to go to Ramoji City. He would blackmail me saying he’d get me eliminated by the underworld. I don’t doubt that he’s influential. I’ve seen it that he’s influential and I know he could have eliminated me,” she said.
She said Karim repeatedly threatened to circulate her nude pictures if she did not comply with his demands, and she was too terrified not say no.
“The after effects were that I stopped talking to people, stopped working, became a recluse. It wasn’t just one time. He came over a couple of times more. It was 12th Sept 2015 and he calls me and says I want you to come here. I was scared he’d circulate my nude pictures to family. He sneaked me into the room. He didn’t even let me leave,” she recalled.
When she could take it no more, she filed a complaint in Hyderabad’s Rachakonda in January 2017. The police registered a case against the producer for rape, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage, and cheating. But the torture did not stop there, as she said her life has been turned upside down by the abuse.
“He’s 60+ and I’m younger than his youngest daughter. He spoiled my life, my dream. He crushed me. I continue to face threats. Till date when he comes to court, he stares me down and intimidates me. Why should I travel in a burqa? He’s influential, he’s been working in industry for 40 years. Why should I feel embarrassed or go through torture,” she said.
She also questioned how big stars like Shah Rukh Khan continue to work with Karim, who is a predator.
“I don’t know how SRK could work with him. I don’t want to drag SRK into this but how can such an icon work with this 2G accused and support a man like this. Nobody spoke out about me or backed me up. How can top actors like SRK work with him?” she asked.
Karim, who is facing rape charges, is currently out on anticipatory bail. In April, during the last court hearing, the Telangana Police had acceded that there is enough evidence against the producer to prosecute him.
