Women shouldn't be scared to come out and talk:Kangana

Actor Kangana Ranaut on Monday refrained from directly commenting on filmmaker Vikas Bahl, who is accused of sexual harassment, but said women should be encouraged to speak up about such issues. There were reports that Vikas allegedly harassed a female worker of his production house Phantom Films, who then brought the issue to the company's notice.

The news came some weeks after The Viral Fever (TVF) founder Arunabh Kumar was accused of sexual harassment by several women on social media. Vikas, however, denied the claims saying he has known the woman in question since a long time, she is a friend and never looked uncomfortable in his company. Kangana, who has worked with Vikas in the blockbuster Queen, said it is a serious issue which requires discussion.

"It is a very serious issue. I can only say that whoever faces a situation like this, it's very courageous of a woman to come out and speak about it. I say this not regarding to this particular event, because I am not the party involved.

"But generally speaking, women who face this should be encouraged to talk about it by their families, colleagues and they shouldn't be shamed," Kangana told reporters here. The 30-year-old actor said women should be encouraged to speak up so that an awareness is created.

"More and more women should come out and talk about whatever they feel because that's how awareness will come about these issues. Of course, there will always be other side of the story. There are authorities who can decide what the right thing is. "But people should speak up about whatever they feel, whether they are right or wrong, they must speak up and discuss it," she said. She was speaking at the launch of Spring Summer collection of Melange by Lifestyle.

Kangana, who was last seen in Rangoon this year, has started training for her upcoming film Manikarnika – The Queen of Jhansi. The actor is learning horse riding while preparing to play the historical character of Queen of Jhansi -Lakshmibai. The film has been written by KV Vijayendra Prasad, who also penned down Baahubali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.