Actor Bakhtyar Irani has publicly criticised television actress Navina Bole following her recent allegations of sexual harassment against filmmaker Sajid Khan. Navina, in an interview, accused Sajid of inappropriate behaviour during a meeting that allegedly took place in 2004 or 2006, around the time he was working on the film Heyy Babyy.
In her conversation with Filmygyan, Navina described Sajid Khan as a "terrible" man and claimed that during what she believed to be a professional meeting, he asked her to strip to her lingerie under the pretext of evaluating her comfort level in front of the camera.
After the video clip from the interview went viral on social media, Bakhtyar reacted strongly in the comments section, questioning Navina's timing and intention behind speaking out nearly two decades later.
"Sorry but why did you go home for a meeting? Meetings normally happen at offices or public places. Women of 1980s or women of 2025 then and now both always knew the basics… I’m sorry but stop making easy targets now… When did this happen? Why didn’t you come out then? With all due respect to all women, it is high time we stop giving interviews after 30 days of the incident… That much time is enough to get brains and courage," Bakhtyar wrote.
Navina was quick to hit back, accusing Bakhtyar of undermining her truth despite being industry colleagues.
"Firstly, it is saddening that you would question the authenticity of what I have said… The interview starts with me saying I went assuming it was his office, which turned out to be his residence. It happened in 2006. Watch the entire podcast to know the details. Not that I even owe someone like you an explanation," she wrote.
"Also, this was in response to a question I was asked regarding my experience with the casting couch. I did not call the press or initiate talking about it. So please, next time you cast aspersions on anyone, think twice. I have brains and courage and thus spoke my truth - and I stand by it," Navina added.
Navina also took to her Instagram story and wrote, "Never wrong to do the right thing. Some people need to be set straight. Stop victim blaming."
What Navina said during the interview
During the interview, the actress stated, "He said, ‘Why don’t you just get off your clothes and sit in your lingerie? I need to see how comfortable you are in your body."
She also added that she fled the situation but was later bombarded with nearly 50 calls from Sajid.
Navina, known for her roles in shows like Miley Jab Hum Tum, Ishqbaaaz, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, and Jeannie Aur Juju, has become the latest voice to speak out against Sajid Khan, who has previously faced multiple #MeToo allegations.
