An independent director Abhinav Singh raised the issue in the forefront by sharing on social media, defining Pratik as extremely manipulative and emotionally abusive. Singh’s expose was supported by messages from several women with similar accounts, indicating a pattern of behaviour. Following these allegations, Shah shut down his Instagram account, adding to public outrage.
Who is Pratik Shah?
Pratik Shah is an American cinematographer renowned for his work in both the Hollywood and Indian film industries. Born on December 27, 1988, in Dallas, Texas, Shah pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art Photography at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C., followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography from UCLA.
In 2025, Shah gained significant attention for his role as the cinematographer of Homebound, a Hindi-language drama directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Dharma Productions. The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and featured actors Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. However, Shah’s reputation faced challenges when allegations of inappropriate behaviour and emotional abuse surfaced, leading to public scrutiny and discussions within the film community.
Despite these controversies, Shah’s contributions to cinematography, particularly his work on Jubilee, have been recognised, earning him accolades such as the IWM Digital Award for Best Cinematography in a Web Series in 2023
Pratik Shah Faces Misconduct Allegations
An independent filmmaker Abhinav Singh brought up the issue in the limelight by posting on social media, describing Pratik as highly manipulative and emotionally abusive. Singh’s revelations were bolstered by messages from multiple women who shared similar experiences, suggesting a pattern of misconduct. In the wake of these allegations, Shah deactivated his Instagram account, further intensifying public scrutiny.
Dharma Productions Official Statement
In response to these allegations, Dharma Productions issued an official statement which said,” 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 POSH-mandated Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at Dharma did not receive any complaints against Shah during his association with Homebound, the statement said. The statement read “Mr. Pratik Shah was a freelancer on the project Homebound and was working on it for a limited period. His engagement with us has been completed. During this period, our internal committee for POSH didn’t receive any complaints against him from any cast or crew on our film ‘Homebound”.
In a Nutshell
As the issue plays out, the film industry stands at a crossroads in how it responds to charges of wrongdoing. The reaction of Dharma Productions and individuals such as Hansal Mehta underscores the need for openness, accountability, and standing with the victimised. The next few weeks will be instrumental in determining the direction the industry takes in creating a safer and more respectful space for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pratik Shah is the cinematographer for Homebound.
Dharma Productions is connected to Pratik Shah through the film Homebound, a Hindi-language drama produced by Dharma and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. Pratik Shah worked as the cinematographer (Director of Photography) on the project. The film garnered international attention after premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
As of the latest updates, there has been no official legal case filed against Pratik Shah. The situation is still unfolding.
As of now, Pratik Shah has not issued a public response. However, he deactivated his Instagram account shortly after the allegations gained public attention.