Tanushree Dutta sexual harassment is stirring loud and big, Tanushree also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of sexual harassment and ‘Inappropriate Behaviour’.
Former Miss India Tanushree Dutta has shaken Bollywood with harassment charges against well-known actors and filmmakers that she holds responsible for her abrupt departure from the industry. By doing so, Tanushree has opened the flood gates of the ‘#MeToo’ movement in Bollywood. While several actors are supporting her, accused Nana Patekar has finally responded.
In a recent interview with ZoomTV.com, the former actress called out Nana Patekar for sexually harassing her on a film’s set some 10 years ago. Tanushree even holds Nana Patekar responsible for vandalizing her car and a film set while she was filming. If this was not enough, Tanushree has even called out choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Saran and producer Sami Siddiqui as they became silent spectators while she was being harassed on the sets of 2008’s ‘Horn Ok Pleasss’.
Read full story: Tanushree Dutta Claims Nana Patekar Sexually Harassed Her On Sets, 10 Years Ago
However, the accused has completely rubbished the allegations stating that the former actress has misjudged the situation and that she is doing all of this for publicity. When asked about the allegations, Nana Patekar told a news channel, “What can I do about what one says? You tell me. What does it mean by sexual harassment? We were on the set, and there were 200 people sitting in front of us. What can I say?”
When further probed if he will press legal charges against the actress, Nana swiftly replied, “I will see what can be legally done. It is also wrong and inappropriate to talk to you [media] since you publish anything… I will continue to do what I have been doing in my life.”
Trending: Model Padma Lakshmi Sexual Assault: I Was Raped at 16, Molested At 7, Tells Why She Was Silent
Janice Sequeira, who is currently a social media curator at Firstpost, have validated an entire Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment incident as she was there on the sets of ‘Horn Ok Pleasss’ aa budding reporter who witnessed what all happened over there. She even interviewed Tanushree Dutta at her residence on that night. Read Janice’s tweet here:
Some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with #TanushreeDutta on the sets of “Horn Ok Please” is one such incident – I was there. #NanaPatekar
[THREAD]— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
I was a cub reporter in 2008, assigned by AajTak and Headlines Today to cover the BTS of a song being shot for this film. When I arrived, I was told shooting had been stalled because the actress, #TanushreeDutta was "being difficult". #NanaPatekar
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
For anyone who’s either going to be ignoring or downplaying Dutta’s account as a desperate call for attention and question why she didn’t speak out earlier – she did. Interviews by Dutta were followed by a press conference by #NanaPatekar where she was branded “unprofessional”.
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
This was a decade ago. It could have possibly been the first instance of a Bollywood actress calling out sexual predators, and her voice was silenced by more powerful men who continued to have flourishing careers. Now she’s found her voice again. Shouldn't we listen? #NanaPatekar
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
Nana Patekar is not the only reputable filmy personality that Tanushree Dutta has called out for making unwanted sexual advances towards her! In an interview with DNA, Tanushree has accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri for behaving inappropriately with her on the sets of 2005 film ‘Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets’.
The former Miss India recalls an incident where she was asked to strip and dance.
“This guy (Vivek Agnihotri) wanted me to give cues to an actor (Irrfan Khan). It was an actor’s close-up. It was not even my shot. I was not even going to be in the shot. It was the actor’s close-up and he had to just look at something and give expressions. This director, he told me ‘jao jaake kapde utaar ke naacho, usko cues do (go strip and dance, give (Irrfan) cues’.”
However, Irrfan Khan immediately put a stop to the spectacle and assured Vivek that he could give his solo-shot without Tanushree’s help. The actress further stated that Suniel Shetty too stood up in her defence by telling Vivek Agnihotri that if needed he can give Irrfan the cues.
While Irrfan Khan and Suniel Shetty defended Tanushree years ago, today too some Bollywood celebrities are supporting her.
The voice of media person Janice Sequeria isn’t gone in vain and Bollywood has come in support of Tanushree Dutta.
Actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar voiced his support for Tanushree by tweeting that her courage should be admired and her intensions should not be questioned.
This thread is very telling. @janiceseq85 was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not & her story hasn’t changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned. https://t.co/Ola3MNdmtS
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 27, 2018
Priyanka Chopra seconded her ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ actor’s opinion by tweeting that she believes in Tanushree.
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
‘Love Sonia’ actress Richa Chadda expressed her support by stating that it takes special courage to become like Tanushree Dutta.
Richa Chadha On Sexual Harassment in Bollywood: ‘We Will Lose a Lot Of Heroes, Film Makers’
It hurts to be #TanushreeDutta rn. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity.What happened to her on set was intimidation.Her only fault was she didn’t back down-takes a special courage to be #TanushreeDutta.
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) September 27, 2018
Sonam Kapoor came in support of Tanushree Dutta’s sexual abuse claim and retweeted Janice Sequeira’s tweet.
I believe #TanushreeDatta and @janiceseq85 recollection of the account. Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s upto us to stand together. https://t.co/sF3mS5o1P8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
Many of my co-workers,female and male have been harassed and bullied, but it’s their story to tell. If we don’t encourage their voices and instead vilify and question them, how will victims ever become survivors? Let them speak up! Stand up with them!
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
Akshay Kumar’s wife Twinkle Khanna too came in support.
Please read this thread before judging or shaming #TanushreeDutta a working environment without harassment and intimidation is a fundamental right and by speaking up this brave woman helps pave the way towards that very goal for all of us! https://t.co/f8Nj9YWRvE
— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) September 28, 2018
Parineeti Chopra responded to Janices tweet and supported Tanushree
I agree too. Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something horrible and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them. @janiceseq85 #TanushreeDutta
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) September 28, 2018
Comedian Kaneez Surka praises Tanushree Dutta for speaking up and tweeted
Of course alot of Bollywood stars and producers won't say anything – they are afraid and some of them should be. Be afraid, be very afraid – It begun.
More power to women like #TanushreeDutta – for fighting the good fight for us. #NanaPatekar #Metoo— Kaneez Surka (@kaneezsurka) September 27, 2018
And then there are these so called BIG Bollywood stars who were diplomatic and avoided their say on Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment incident. At the trailer launch of Thugs of Hindostan, actors Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were asked about the allegations. Amitabh told, “Neither my name is Tanushree nor Nana Patekar. So, how can I answer your question?” Aamir Khan gave a diplomatic answer saying, “necessary steps must be taken if they’re proved true.”
There was this arrogant actor Salman Khan who said, “I am not aware of this. Let me know and understand what is happening.”
Recently Indian-American model Padma Laskhmi opened up about being date-raped as a teenager, followed by other Hollywood celebs who broke their silence. Tanushree Dutta from Bollywoo is trying to bring #MeToo and #WhyIDidntReport movement in India.
Eventznu wants people, irrespective of what gender and national you come from, to support #BelieveSurvivors movement. Become voice to the weak and raise your voice against the evil.
