New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Ace choreographer Shiamak Davar is shocked and has denied sexual abuse allegations made by his former dance students Percy Shroff and Jimmy Mistry.
Percy Shroff, 40, and Jimmy Mistry, 33, both of North Vancouver, say they endured years of unwanted sexual touching at the hands of Shiamak, who they say, abused his authority as their spiritual leader to control all aspects of their lives, reports cbc.ca.
They have alleged that Shiamak is a sexually abusive and controlling leader of a sect called VRRP Spiritual Learning group, according to two lawsuits filed in the Canadian province of British Columbia Supreme Court.
Denying the same, Shiamak, a National Award winning talent, said in a statement: “I’m shocked by these allegations and deny them completely. I will not be intimidated into silence and will defend myself vigorously in court.”
“Even though I’m extremely anxious to speak the truth, I have been advised not to do so publicly by my lawyer, David Crossin, as this matter is now before the court,” added Shiamak, who bagged the National Award for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer “Dil To Pagal Hai”.
He also went on to say that “it is a privilege and honour for me to continue the work of my spiritual teacher, Khorshed Bhavnagri”.
VRRP follows the teachings of Bhavnagari, who wrote “The Laws of the Spirit World”, in which she claimed her two dead sons communicated with her.
“It is my position, as filed in my response, that these claims are being made by former members of VRRP Spiritual Learning to simply smear Mrs. Bhavnagri’s good name and her wonderful book ‘The Laws of the Spirit World’. I would like members of VRRP Spiritual Learning to be rest assured that I will continue to serve the book and its teachings,” added Shiamak.
A celebrated name in the Indian film industry, Shiamak whose choreography has gone from Bollywood to Hollywood blockbusters such as “Mission Impossible 4”, has “total faith in the justice system of British Columbia that my name shall be cleared on all accounts”.