Dame Meera Syal reveals sexual harassment in memoir Vigilauntie

Dame Meera Syal, a 65-year-old British actress and writer known for her roles in Goodness Gracious Me! and The Kumars at No 42, opened up in her memoir, Vigilauntie, about experiencing sexual harassment and assault by two men in the media during her twenties. While speaking with Amber Haque from BBC Asian Network, she recounted how these incidents almost made her quit acting while she was homeless and searching for work. One involved a theater director who proposed a pantomime role in exchange for sexual favors, which she rejected. Another older actor invited her for career advice but assaulted her instead. Feeling unable to report these incidents due to the toxic culture, she became active in women’s organizations. Born in Wolverhampton in 1961 to Indian Punjabi parents, Syal's career includes writing the screenplay for Bhaji On The Beach and co-writing Bombay Dreams. She received a damehood last year for her contributions to literature and charity.