May 30, 2025: Disturbing allegations of emotional abuse and predatory behavior surfaced against Pratik Shah, a cinematographer known for his work on acclaimed projects like Jubilee, CTRL, and Homebound (which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival).
What Triggered the Controversy?
Independent filmmaker Abhinav Singh was the first to publicly call out Pratik Shah via Instagram, warning women in the industry to be cautious of him. Without initially naming Shah, Abhinav described the individual as:
- “Highly manipulative”
- “Emotionally abusive”
Shortly after, he directly named Pratik Shah, stating:
“The number of women who’ve reached out to me is honestly frightening… I will not be silenced… His name is Pratik Shah. He’s a cinematographer.”
Abhinav’s post went on to describe hearing from multiple women who allegedly had similar, traumatic experiences. He called the pattern of behavior “undeniable” and labeled Shah a “predator.”
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Srishti Riya Jain Joins In
Writer and filmmaker Srishti Riya Jain backed the claims, sharing a series of screenshots and posts on Instagram. She alleged:
- Pratik Shah has been “on the prowl for four years”
- He has a history of sliding into women’s DMs
- His behavior has been reported on Reddit forums in the past
Srishti criticized the hypocrisy of the industry, stating:
“To everyone pretending to act shocked, scandalised, and suddenly awoken from their slumber… THIS man worked on one of the ‘most empathetic’ films of the year — or so the interviews at Cannes claimed.”
Current Status
As of now:
- Pratik Shah has not issued any public response to the allegations.
- No formal investigation or legal proceedings have been confirmed.
- The industry response remains largely silent, apart from independent filmmakers and artists on social media.
The allegations raise serious questions about accountability and systemic silence in the Indian film industry, even in projects celebrated for their sensitivity and empathy. The public and professional fallout for Shah is likely to intensify if further testimonies emerge or if he responds.