Actor Tanushree Dutta recently gave an interview recounting an incident that happened almost a decade ago. Tanushree alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar sexually harassed her and no one till now has voiced support to her.
Shortly after, an Indian journalist Janice Sequeira, who was present on the sets at that time 10 years ago, took to social media to share her version of the disdainful incident that goes in Dutta’s favor.
In a series of tweets Janice wrote, “Some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with Tanushree Dutta on the sets of ‘Horn Ok Please’ is one such incident - I was there”.
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
Things aren’t the same anymore (even though, they aren’t exactly different either). The #MeToo movement has encouraged women to come out and speak about sexual misconduct in the West. If it’s, in turn, inspiring women in India to speak out, we need to find a way to encourage it.
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
Replying to her thread many Bollywood celebs have now come to support Tanushree. Farhan Akhtar wrote, “Even when Tanushree Dutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not and her story hasn’t changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned”. Priyanka Chopra too gave her consent to Farhan’s though.
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
Parineeti responded to Priyanka’s tweet about respecting and believing survivors.
I agree too. Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them. @janiceseq85 #TanushreeDutta https://t.co/L6bxaG5HPk
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) September 28, 2018
Richa Chadha too shared on Twitter, “It hurts to be Tanushree Dutta. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity”.
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 too wrote on Twitter, “I believe Tanushree Dutta and Janice's 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”.
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
Twinkle Khanna also came out in support of Tanushree. In a tweet, she said, “Please read this thread before judging or shaming Tanushree Dutta. 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!”.
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
Actor Swara Bhasker is also among the first few celebrities to speak up for Tanushree Dutta. Swara tweeted, “I believe you Tanushree Dutta”.
On the other hand, at the trailer launch of ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ when Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan were asked about Dutta's allegations against Nana Patekar, the actors evaded a direct answer. “My name is not Tanushree and my name is not Nana Patekar," Bachchan said when asked to react to Dutta's recent TV interview.
Aamir said it would not be right for him to comment but whenever something like this does happens it is really a sad thing. He also said it would be unfair on his part to comment on the controversy without knowing the veracity or the details of the matter, PTI reported.
Actor Salman Khan dodged the question at an event, claiming he is unaware of the incident, reported PinkVilla. “I am not aware of this. Let me know and understand what is happening. I have been here and I am sure that the legal team will handle that. We will see what is going on. I am not aware of it”.
After a massive turmoil, Nana Patekar respond to these accusations saying, “What does she mean by sexual harassment? We were on the set and there were 200 people sitting in front of us.”
According to him, he could not have done anything like that as the entire crew was on the set of the film. He even went on to say, “Let anyone say anything. I will continue to do in my life what I have been doing,” Indian media reported.