Harvey Weinstein Wanted Time Alone With Aishwarya Rai, Claims Her Manager

The Harvey Weinstein scandal, which shook Hollywood in 2017, continues to reveal new allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against the disgraced film producer. The latest claims come from Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s former manager, Simone Sheffield, who revealed that Weinstein sought “alone time” with the Bollywood icon during her foray into Hollywood in the mid-2000s.

This explosive revelation adds another high-profile name to the long list of women allegedly targeted by Weinstein and reignites discussions about the casting couch culture in both Hollywood and Bollywood. It also highlights the systemic exploitation of women in the entertainment industry, where power dynamics often silence victims.

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The Allegations Against Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein, once one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood, has been accused by over 90 women of sexual harassment, assault, or rape. His downfall began in 2017 when The New York Times and The New Yorker published investigative reports detailing decades of misconduct.

In 2020, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. However, new testimonies continue to emerge, exposing the extent of his predatory behavior. The latest accusation involves Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a former Miss World and one of India’s most celebrated actresses.

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Simone Sheffield’s Shocking Revelation

Simone Sheffield, who managed Aishwarya Rai’s Hollywood career, alleged that Weinstein made inappropriate attempts to arrange private meetings with her.

According to Sheffield, after a professional meeting between Weinstein and Aishwarya, he allegedly cornered her manager and asked “What do I have to do to get Aishwarya alone?”

This suggests that Weinstein attempted to use his influence to isolate Aishwarya—an approach that mirrors his alleged tactics with other actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie.

Sheffield stated that Aishwarya **never** had direct interaction with Weinstein beyond the initial meeting, thanks to her managerial intervention. However, the fact that Weinstein sought private access to Aishwarya adds another troubling layer to his already damning history.

Harvey Weinstein tried hard to get Aishwarya Rai alone, claims former manager

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Aishwarya Rai’s Hollywood Career and Her Exit

Aishwarya Rai, one of the few Indian actresses to gain some prominence in Hollywood, starred in films such as “The Mistress of Spices” (2005) and “The Pink Panther 2” (2009). However, her career in Hollywood never took off the way many had expected.

In interviews, Aishwarya has hinted at discomfort with the expectations of certain roles in Hollywood. Sheffield’s account aligns with previous reports that Rai resisted explicit scenes and unwanted advances.

She reportedly turned down Hollywood projects that demanded uncomfortable intimacy, saying, “I won’t do such roles.” This decision possibly contributed to her limited presence in American films after 2010.

Key projects she was involved in or considered for:
– “Bride and Prejudice” (2004)– Produced by Weinstein’s Miramax
– “Provoked” (2006) – A British-Indian film
– “The Pink Panther 2” (2009) – Her last major Hollywood film

Aishwarya’s experience underscores the pressures actresses face when navigating Hollywood’s cutthroat culture.

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 The “Casting Couch” Culture in Hollywood and Bollywood

The MeToo movement exposed how deeply entrenched the “casting couch” culture is in the entertainment industry.

 Hollywood’s Problem
Many A-list actresses—Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek—have accused Weinstein of harassment. Some claim they were blacklisted after rejecting his advances. Weinstein reportedly used Miramax and The Weinstein Company to control careers, offering roles in exchange for sexual favors.

Bollywood’s Silence
While Hollywood has seen a wave of #MeToo accusations, Bollywood (India’s film industry) has been slower to address similar issues. Several big-name actors and directors (such as Alok Nath, Sajid Khan, and Vikas Bahl) have been accused, but few have faced significant consequences.

Many actresses hesitate to speak up due to:
– Fear of career sabotage
– Public shaming and victim-blaming
– Lack of legal protection

Aishwarya’s case is unique because she avoided the worst of Weinstein’s advances, but her experience still highlights the dangers women face in global entertainment industries.

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Why Do Women Stay Silent?

The Weinstein scandal has forced a reckoning, but many victims still struggle to come forward. Experts point to several reasons:

1. Power Imbalance – Powerful producers can make or break careers.

2. Cultural Stigma – Women fear being labeled “difficult” or “ungrateful.”

3. Legal Weakness – Many victims doubt that reporting will lead to justice.

4. Media Backlash – Speaking out often results in invasive scrutiny.

Aishwarya’s case shows that even globally recognized stars face these risks.

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The Aftermath of Weinstein’s Downfall

Since Weinstein’s conviction, Hollywood has made some changes:
– More female-led productions (e.g., #TimesUp, women directors getting major films)
– Stricter HR policies in studios
– Increased whistleblower protections

However, experts argue that true progress requires an industry-wide culture shift, not just punitive actions against individuals.

Bollywood, meanwhile, remains resistant to systemic change, though the #MeToo movement has empowered some Indian actresses to break their silence.

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Conclusion: Aishwarya’s Narrow Escape & the Industry’s Future

Aishwarya Rai’s case is a stark reminder that even the most talented and successful women in entertainment are not immune to exploitation. Thanks to her manager’s intervention, she avoided Weinstein’s advances—but not all actresses were as fortunate.

The Weinstein scandal has forced the world to confront uncomfortable truths about power, abuse, and silence in Hollywood and beyond. While legal action against predators is a crucial step, real change will only come when women no longer fear retaliation for speaking out.

As more voices join the movement, survivors like Aishwarya may finally see an industry where talent—not coercion—determines success.

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Final Thoughts
If you have experienced workplace harassment, seek support from organizations like:
– RAINN (U.S.) – rainn.org
– Sakshi (India) – sakshi.org
– TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund – timesupnow.org

The fight for a safer, fairer industry continues—one story at a time.

What do you think of Aishwarya’s case? Should more Bollywood actresses speak out? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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