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Saloni Chopra slams Amazon Prime Video’s Songs of Paradise for casting alleged abuser Zain Khan Durrani, saying Bollywood gives work to “men who beat women.”
Actor-filmmaker Saloni Chopra has slammed Amazon Prime Video’s Songs of Paradise for casting her alleged abuser, Zain Khan Durrani.
Actor and filmmaker Saloni Chopra has spoken out against Amazon Prime Video’s new release Songs of Paradise, slamming the makers for casting her alleged abuser, Zain Khan Durrani, in a prominent role. The film, which premiered on the streaming platform on August 29, features Zain alongside Saba Azad, Soni Razdan, and Sheeba Chaddha.
Saloni Chopra’s Strong Words Against Bollywood Hypocrisy
Taking to Instagram days after the film’s release, Saloni posted a detailed note recounting the abuse she allegedly suffered at Zain’s hands during their relationship in the early 2010s. She recalled, “He choked me while I sat helpless. He dragged me out of the house.”
The actor-filmmaker alleged that Zain not only abused her but also manipulated and gaslighted her until she eventually went public after learning he was doing the same to other women. According to her, the apology she later received from him was nothing more than “copy-pasted words.”
Expressing frustration at how the industry continues to rehabilitate men accused of abuse, Saloni wrote:
“And yet today, he’s acting in an Amazon Prime film. Promoted. Praised. Polished into a man worth celebrating. So next time you wonder why women don’t speak? This is why.”
She also questioned her fellow actors’ choices: “Self-proclaimed feminists, actors who build careers on equality speeches, artists who hashtag justice and solidarity, they’re standing next to him. Working with him.”
“No Point Making Feminist Films”
In a lengthy caption accompanying her note, Saloni added that films like Songs of Paradise lose credibility when they continue to cast men with abusive histories. “There’s really no point in making feminist films like Songs of Paradise if we’re going to keep working with men that are pushing the movement back by 50+ years.”
She called out Bollywood’s selective outrage, pointing out how accused men continue to get work while women who speak up face penalties: “Women like myself, filmmakers trying to amplify women’s voices through film, struggle to get our work seen. While men who beat women get prime-time slots.”
Saloni’s #MeToo Allegations in 2018
Saloni first accused Zain Khan Durrani of physical and emotional abuse during the height of the #MeToo movement in 2018. She revealed at the time that she endured violent episodes until a final assault in front of her brother pushed her to leave. Following multiple accusations, Zain issued a public apology, though Saloni now describes it as insincere.
Who is Zain Khan Durrani?
Zain made his debut in Onir’s 2018 film Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz and has since appeared in Shikara and Bell Bottom. His breakout came with the 2022 Zee5 series Mukhbir, co-starring Prakash Raj, Adil Hussain, and Barkha Bisht.
His latest project, Songs of Paradise, is directed by Danish Renzu and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Shafat Qazi. The film blends themes of art and resilience but has now been overshadowed by renewed attention to Saloni’s allegations.
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun…Read More
Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always on the hun… Read More
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