Cinematographer Pratik Shah publicly apologized on July 2, 2026, for the sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced against him in 2025. But the Indian film industry is not accepting it.
The Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective (IWCC) released a strong statement on July 3, 2026, slamming Shah’s apology. They called it a “cynical PR strategy” and said it was “not a plea for forgiveness” but rather “a job application”.
The collective accused Shah of using therapy language to erase the women he harmed while centering his own career loss.
What Pratik Shah Said in His Apology
Pratik Shah, known for his work on Jubilee, CTRL, and Homebound, broke his silence on July 2, 2026, after more than a year. He issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter India.
“I want to address the online allegations made against me last year. I am deeply remorseful for the mistakes I made and the hurt that I have caused, both in my professional interactions and in my past personal relationships.”
Shah admitted that his growing success clouded his judgment. He said he acted out of insecurity and a need for validation. He took full responsibility for the breakdown of his reputation and relationships.
He also revealed that he spent the past year in therapy and rehabilitation. Shah claimed he achieved over a year of continuous sobriety.
“I know none of this excuses the past. For that, I am truly sorry and ashamed. But I am committed to learning from my failures and earning back trust through my actions.”
IWCC Rejects the Apology
The IWCC did not hold back. They posted a detailed statement on their Instagram page on July 2 evening.
“It took twelve months of silence, the loss of a high-profile Sourav Ganguly biopic, and the unceremonious scrubbing of his name from YRF’s Akka for cinematographer Pratik Shah to finally find his conscience. But let us be clear about what he just published: this is not an apology. It is a calculated exercise in damage control, a desperate bid for professional reinstatement disguised as a moral awakening.”
The collective called Shah’s statement a “textbook example of how perpetrators of sexual misconduct weaponize modern progressive language to absolve themselves”. They said he crafted a narrative that demands empathy for the abuser while erasing the women he abused.
IWCC Says Apology Downplays Serious Offenses
The IWCC directly addressed the nature of the allegations. They said soliciting nude photographs and subjecting colleagues to emotional abuse are not “symptoms of a fragile ego”.
“They are deliberate, repeated abuses of power. By framing his predatory actions as a tragic flaw born of a desperate need for validation, Shah attempts to downgrade his behaviour from predatory to merely pathetic.”
The collective also questioned Shah’s claims of weekly therapy and sobriety. They called these “classic deflection tactics” rather than genuine accountability.
Where Are the Victims in His Statement?
One of the sharpest criticisms from the IWCC was about who Shah centered in his apology. They said his statement never directly addresses the fear, trauma, or derailed careers of the young women he targeted.
“He is grieving his own demise. The victims are treated as mere plot devices in the tragedy of Pratik Shah’s stalled career – nameless, faceless collateral damage in his personal journey toward growth.”
A Pattern of Behavior, Not a One-Time Mistake
The IWCC pointed out that this is not the first time Shah has apologized. They said he issued a similar apology five years ago after allegedly soliciting a nude picture from a young cinematographer.
“An apology followed by repeated offenses is not an apology – it is a manipulation tactic to avoid consequences. Only when the consequences finally caught up to his career, was the silence broken.”
The collective made a clear distinction about what real accountability looks like.
“True accountability is quiet. It is the acceptance of consequences without the demand for a swift return to power.”
The Final Verdict: ‘Not a Plea for Forgiveness, But a Job Application’
The IWCC ended their statement with a powerful line that has already started circulating widely in the industry.
“The industry must recognize this statement for exactly what it is: it is not a plea for forgiveness. It is a job application.”
The collective urged the industry to see Shah’s apology for what they believe it truly is: an attempt to get back to work, not a sincere expression of remorse.
What Led to This Controversy
The allegations against Pratik Shah first came to light in 2025. Filmmaker Abhinav Singh publicly accused Shah of being “highly manipulative” and “emotionally abusive”. Singh claimed that more than 20 women had reached out to him with similar accounts of inappropriate behavior.
The allegations included soliciting nude photographs and sending unsolicited explicit messages. The Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective also flagged Shah after a junior cinematographer accused him of making unwelcome advances.
Professional Consequences Hit Hard
The allegations had a direct impact on Shah’s career. He was dropped from the upcoming Sourav Ganguly biopic, which stars Rajkummar Rao and is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane.
Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan also removed Shah’s name from promotional materials for Homebound. Shah had shot patchwork portions for YRF Entertainment’s upcoming series Akka, but the production house reportedly decided to remove his name from the final credits.
Dharma Productions’ Response
At the time the allegations surfaced, Dharma Productions, which produced Homebound, clarified that Shah was only a freelancer on the project for a limited period.
“At Dharma Productions, we have a zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment towards any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously.”
The production house also stated that its Internal Committee under the POSH policy did not receive any complaints against Shah during his time on the project.
Industry Reactions and Social Media Response
Social media users have largely supported the IWCC’s stance. Many called Shah’s apology insincere and pointed out that he only spoke up after losing major projects.
The IWCC’s Instagram post received widespread attention, with many in the film industry sharing and commenting on it. The collective’s statement has been praised for directly calling out what they see as manipulative behavior.
The controversy has also sparked wider conversations about accountability and power dynamics in the Indian film industry. Many are asking why it took Shah a year to apologize and whether his statement would have come at all if he hadn’t lost work.
What the Allegations Include
The allegations against Pratik Shah are serious. According to reports, they include:
- Soliciting nude photographs from women
- Sending unsolicited explicit messages
- Emotional abuse and manipulation
- Crossing professional boundaries
- Making inappropriate advances toward colleagues
Filmmaker Abhinav Singh, who first brought the allegations to light, said that over 20 women shared their experiences with him. The IWCC also received complaints from members of the collective.
Shah’s Career Before the Controversy
Before the allegations surfaced, Pratik Shah was a rising cinematographer in the industry. He worked on several high-profile projects:
- Jubilee (2023) – directed by Vikramaditya Motwane
- CTRL (2024) – also directed by Vikramaditya Motwane
- Homebound – directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, produced by Dharma Productions
His work was well-regarded, and he was considered a talented professional. However, the allegations have now put his entire career in question.
A Pattern of Similar Behavior
The IWCC’s statement highlighted that Shah had allegedly exhibited similar behavior in the past. They said he had apologized five years ago for soliciting a nude picture from a young cinematographer.
This pattern, the collective argued, shows that his recent apology is not genuine. They said an apology followed by repeated offenses is not an apology but a manipulation tactic.
What True Accountability Looks Like
The IWCC made it clear what they expect from someone who has caused harm. They said true accountability means accepting consequences without demanding a swift return to power.
They also said that genuine accountability is quiet. It does not come with a public relations campaign or a carefully crafted statement designed to win back favor.
The collective’s message was clear: Shah’s apology does not meet this standard.
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The Industry’s Response
The IWCC has called on the industry to recognize Shah’s statement for what they believe it is. They want the film industry to see that this is not a genuine apology but an attempt to get back to work.
The collective’s statement has already sparked discussions about how the industry handles allegations of sexual misconduct. Many are now questioning whether Shah should be allowed to return to work at all.
The controversy has also raised questions about the role of therapy and personal growth in public apologies. The IWCC argued that using therapy language can sometimes be a way to avoid real accountability.
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