Mouni Roy makes first appearance after harassment incident; industry backs her call for accountability

Mouni Roy has made her first public appearance following a horrifying harassment incident at a Karnal event that left her feeling humiliated and traumatized. Just a day after sharing her ordeal on Instagram, paparazzi captured her stepping out at night. The spotting came late evening. Dressed in a light outfit, Mouni kept her head down, fiddled with her hair, and strode quickly beside her manager.

She ignored paparazzi completely, avoiding any chat or glances, her body language speaking volumes about the fresh pain. This moment, just hours after her post on harassment, shows resilience yet raw emotion from the actor. Fans praise her for calling out entitlement, urging better security for artists. As Bollywood rallies around her, Mouni’s story spotlights a harsh reality many face silently and openly online.

The disturbing Karnal incident

The trouble began as Mouni Roy walked toward the stage at the Haryana event. She described how older men, whom she called “uncles well-aged to be grandparents,” placed hands on her waist for photos despite her protests. Things escalated on stage with lewd remarks, obscene gestures, and name-calling from two men in the front row. Mouni tried gesturing politely at first, but they responded by throwing roses toward her. Mid-performance, she walked toward the exit in frustration before returning to finish. A viral video showed her storming off, in anger, and blowing kisses to others, sparking widespread support. No organisers intervened, deepening her dismay.

Mouni’s Instagram account of what happened

In her Instagram Stories after the incident, Mouni Roy wrote that as she walked toward the stage, men who introduced themselves as guests put their hands on her waist under the pretext of taking photos. She objected but was ignored. Once on stage, two men made lewd gestures and comments, and when she tried to signal them to stop, they escalated their behavior by throwing roses at her. In frustration, she walked toward the stage exit but then chose to come back and complete her performance. She said the organisers and family members present did nothing to stop them or remove them from the front row.

She also said some men were filming her from low angles. When others asked them to stop, they responded abusively. She wrote that she loves her country, its people, and its traditions but found the conduct intolerable. The entitlement she described, she said, was shocking and unacceptable in any space.

Her emotional reaction

Mouni Roy said she felt “humiliated” and “traumatised” by the experience. She highlighted how artists are trying to earn an honest living through their craft and asked what these men would do if someone behaved the same way toward their own daughters or sisters. She asked the authorities to take swift action and ensure safety at such events.

How the industry reacted

Several Bollywood stars publicly supported her call for accountability and condemned harassment in public spaces. Many fans and actors took to social media to express solidarity, praising Mouni for speaking up. Supporters emphasized that artists, especially women, should feel safe and respected while performing or attending public events.

The reactions online included both fans and industry figures calling for better crowd management and strict consequences for those who cross boundaries at any event. The discussion around Mouni’s post also reignited broader conversations about the safety of performers at public functions and how organisers handle crowd behaviour.

Why this matters

This incident put a spotlight on ongoing concerns about harassment at crowded events. Mouni’s account was widely covered by national media, with many outlets quoting her Instagram post and highlighting her call for action from authorities. Several commentators pointed out that performers, especially women, should not have to endure such behaviour while doing their job or adding to someone’s celebration.

The conversation is now extending beyond just this one event. Public figures, safety advocates, and online audiences are discussing whether event policies, crowd supervision, and security measures need stricter implementation. Many are asking event organisers to do more to protect performers and women at large public gatherings.