After former actor and model Tanushree Dutta levelled allegations of sexual harassment against veteran actor Nana Patekar, Bollywood actor-director Farhan Akhtar was the first to come out in support of Dutta. He was followed by several Indian actors and film personalities, including Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna among others, who tweeted in support.
Tanushree Dutta has now reacted to the support she has been receiving from Bollywood. Tanushree said is happy for the positive response but questioned Twinkle’s support when her husband, Akshay Kumar is busy shooting Housefull 4 with Nana Patekar.
Thank you, ma’am, for supporting me but your husband (Akshay Kumar) is about to or is even shooting the film (Sajid Khan’s Housefull 4) with Nana Patekar. What about that? That is the question I am asking and how much of that support is genuine because it doesn’t result in any kind of disciplinary action.Tanushree Dutta to Zoom
She has also reacted to Priyanka Chopra’s tweet referring to her as a “survivor”, saying she won’t be reduced to just that label.
Well, it’s amazing. She ( Priyanka) has finally decided to join the bandwagon. It’s probably a smart thing to do at this point of time. But I just want people to know that I am not going to be reduced to a survivor. I have a name, I have a story and I have this truth that I am trying to get out because it’s not for me but for people who will come forward in the generations to come.Tanushree Dutta to Times Now
Speaking about Nana, she said, “They have not apologised to me and they are already spinning lies so when you go ahead and work with them they have the sense of victory”.
Farhan Akhtar was the first to support Dutta. Replying to a thread on Twitter posted by journalist Janice Sequeira who shared a first-hand account of what happened on the sets of the film Horn ok Pleassss in 2008, Farhan Akhtar wrote:
"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."
Shyni Shetty, who was an assistant director on the film, Horn OK Pleasss also confirmed Janice’s version and said:
Priyanka Chopra, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker Speak Out for Tanushree
Masaan actor Richa Chadha tweeted her reaction on late Thursday evening on 27 September, calling the treatment meted out to Tanushree as “intimidation”. “Her only fault was she did not back down,” Chadha tweeted. Priyanka Chopra evasively retweeted Farhan Akhtar’s tweet and said, “Agreed...the world needs to #BelieveSurvivors”.
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!”
Sonam Kapoor, too, came out to support Tanushree and Janice’s first-hand account.
Sonam Kapoor went on to add, “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!”
Actor Swara Bhasker is also among the first three celebrities to speak up for Tanushree Dutta. Swara tweeted a video of Tanushree where the actor has spoken extensively about the incident and Bollywood’s eerie silence with #IBelieveYouTanushreeDutta.
Raveena Tandon took to Twitter to share a thread, where she talks about remembering the controversy in 2008. She says the industry’s silence in deafening and it’s time for witnesses of the incident to come forward and testify. She also says that she has worked with Nana herself in Mustafa and found him courteous, though she had been warned earlier of his volatile temper.
Siddharth also took to Twitter and wrote about giving the victim the benefit of the doubt, “Enough with shaming! Innocent men will overcome any accusation!”
Vir Das shot down Tanushree’s detractors with a pithy message.
Actor Kunal Kapoor too supported Tanushree in a strongly worded tweet.
Lipstick Under My Burkha director Alankrita Shrivastava tweeted in support saying, “Hats off to #TanushreeDutta for braving it out and telling her truth.”
Mallika Dua’s Twitter timeline is flooded with retweets in support of Tanushree Dutta.
Activist Harish Iyer has also put a strong comment in support of Tanushree Dutta.
Masaba has also retweeted Janice’s first-hand account.
Parineeti responded to Priyanka’s tweet about respecting and believing survivors.
Hansal Mehta also took to Twitter to speak about the general “work environment” in India.
Kangana Ranaut and Sushmita Sen Support Tanushree
Kangana Ranaut, famous for her outspokenness against nepotism and gender bias in Bollywood, has also supported Tanushree. In an interview to Pinkvilla, Kangana Ranaut has said that she appreciates Tanushree’s courage to speak out against her alleged harasser, Nana Patekar. “Such dialogue is very healthy and it will bring about a lot of awareness.” She added:
“Raja beta needs to be told the meaning of ‘NO’ as well. It’s in the interest of society that the Raja betas are told what their parents fail to tell them. They must know that the fundamental human rights are the same for men and women.”Kangana Ranaut
Sushmita Sen also told The Quint:
God bless Tanushree. All she is asking for is to be heard. There is no reason to dismiss it or doubt her. More power to her for talking about this openly.Sushmita Sen
Big B, Aamir Khan Evaded a Direct Answer
On Thursday, 27 September, 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, reported PTI.
"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 Khan 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, reported PTI.
Amitabh has been slammed on social media for his statement.
Not Aware of the Incident: Salman Khan
Bollywood actor Salman Khan was also questioned about Tanushree's allegations on Thursday while he was attending an event. Khan dodged the question 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.Salman Khan said
Farah Khan Shows Her Support for Nana
Meanwhile, a completely tone-deaf Farah Khan is drawing flak on social media for posting a picture with Nana Patekar.
Tanushree Dutta, who recently resumed the B-town spotlight after a decade, had alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar had sexually harassed her on the film sets of Horn ok Pleassss, a 2008 movie directed by Rakesh Sarang. She had also said that Patekar had the tacit support of the film's makers.
(With inputs from PTI , Times Now, and PinkVilla.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)