The allegation by Zaira Wasim, 17, the star of Dangal, drew strong reactions by women rights activists and politicians.
The airline, Air Vistara, apologised and said it had ordered an inquiry.
The National Award winning Kashmiri actress complained about her ordeal on the flight, claiming that a middle-aged man seated behind her misbehaved with her.
In a self-shot video for Instagram live chat, Wasim is seen breaking down.
“So, I just landed and you know the whole irony of this is that the guy... this is not done at all. This is not the way, this is not how a girl should be made to feel because this is terrible. Is this how they are doing to take care of girls? No one will help us if we don’t decide to help ourselves. This is the worst thing,” she said, voice quivering, in the Instagram live video.
Wasim said she tried to click a photo of the man, but couldn’t get a clear shot due to dim lights.
“Managed to get this (shot of the molester’s foot). The lights were dimmed so it was even worse. It continued for another 5-10 minutes and then I was sure of it. He kept nudging my shoulder and continued to touch me with his foot,” she posted.
“I tried to record it on my phone to understand it better. But because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it. I ignored it the first time, blamed the turbulence for it. Until I woke up to this pleasant sight of his beautiful foot rubbing my back and neck... Guess he couldn’t sit like a civilised human being and placed his foot on my arm rest ,” she added.
She also slammed the airline. “Slow claps for Vistara’s crew guys! Wonderful!” she wrote.
Air Vistara said it was carrying out a detailed investigation. The airline apologised “for what Ms Wasim faced and we have zero tolerance for such behaviour.”
“We will support Wasim in every way required and also if she decides to report this matter to the police...,” the airline tweeted.
“It appears crew only became aware of something amiss during final descent when they were seated for landing. Further details will come from the investigation which is currently ongoing in full force.”
The civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation watchdog have sought details from Air Vistara.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said she was appalled.
“Any harassment or crime against women should be dealt with swiftly and effectively. As a mother of two daughters, I am appalled at what happened with Zaira,” Mufti tweeted and urged the authorities to take strict action.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the passenger should be identified by Air Vistara and a case filed.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) as well as the Delhi and Maharashtra commissions for women urged the actress to approach the police.
NCW chief Rekha Sharma, Swati Maliwal of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) chief Vijaya Rahatkar, asked the authorities to take action.
DCW has already sought answers from Vistara about details of the action taken by airlines.
From the film industry, director Onir and actress Swara Bhasker came out in support of Wasim, who was also lauded for her performance in Secret Superstar.
“Shame Vistara that your staff did nothing. Shame on all the passengers, they are equally guilty as this moron. It should not be difficult for airlines to locate him from seat no. He should be arrested and punished,” Onir tweeted.
Bhasker slammed it an “intolerable” incident and said: “We are now at that point where a 17-year-old child has to remind us what is right and what is wrong. I’m so sorry that adults around you let you down, Zaira Wasim. But you keep up the good fight. Stay strong.”
Wrestler Babita Phogat tweeted a video in support of Wasim, who played the younger version of Geeta Phogat in Dangal.
“If someone is misbehaving with you, give a tight slap on their face. They will never dare to repeat their actions again. Zaira, you don’t need to be afraid of anyone and just be ‘dhaakad’ (bold) in real life as well.”
In recent months, a growing number of women have spoken out about their experiences of sexual harassment.
It followed a campaign encouraging victims to share their stories of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour under the #metoo hashtag.
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