Singer Alisha Chinai has opened up once again about the sexual harassment case she filed against music composer Anu Malik in 1996 — a move that she says led to her being “shunned” by the industry at the time. The singer, who demanded Rs 26.60 lakh in compensation in her lawsuit, accused Malik of molestation, while the composer denied all allegations and counter-filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit.Both cases were later settled through a compromise, and Alisha eventually returned to collaborate with Malik years later. In new conversations, she explains why she took a stand back then, why she forgave him later, and how her experience inspired women during the #MeToo movement.

Working together again after a decade

In 2003, Alisha and Malik reunited professionally for the film Ishq Vishk. The singer says the reconciliation happened after TIPS chairman Kumar Taurani urged her to let bygones be bygones.“He apologised and behaved very nicely after that,” she told Pinkvilla, adding that she believed he had changed.She also clarified that the incident she spoke about was “harassment, not assault,” emphasising the difference, “Assault is violent or forceful. I don’t think that ever happened with me.”

‘I took a stand because I can’t be manipulated’

Speaking about her reputation for being “opinionated” or “difficult,” Alisha said the label was unfairly used against women who refused to be controlled.“They can’t manipulate you, they can’t fool you. I can see through the bullshit and I walk off. If something isn’t ethical, I’m not okay with it.”She added that while such honesty came with backlash, she was never bothered about losing work, since Bollywood playback was always a “parallel career” for her.“It was not my rozi-roti. I had my albums. Made in India gave me that.”

‘I was bold for my time, but it gave others courage’

Alisha said that when she first spoke up in the 90s, no one supported her. However, decades later, during the #MeToo movement in 2018 — when singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit also accused Malik of inappropriate behaviour — many women approached her for support.“When I did it, nobody stood by me. Later everyone said, ‘Ma’am, please support us,’ and I wondered — where were you all these years?”Still, she supported them, saying women needed solidarity.She believes her stand helped younger women feel confident enough to speak out, “At least they’re not taking it lying down anymore. They get that confidence — ‘Oh, she did it, I can say it too.’”