News Desk |
Bollywood veteran actor Nana Patekar denied the allegations of sexual harassment leveled by actress Tanushree Datta earlier this week. When asked about the allegations, Nana Patekar laughed and asked “What does she mean by sexual harassment? There were 50-100 people on set with me.”
“Will see what I can do legally. It’s a waste talking to media, you guys will play up anything,” he added. At first, Nana Patekar was unavailable to comment on the controversy. Patekar is considering taking legal actions against Tanushree Datta for falsely maligning him.
“Will see what I can do legally. It’s a waste talking to media, you guys will play up anything,” he added. Tanushree Datta in her interview claimed that Nana Patekar hid his misconduct with charity work in media and hence nobody questions him for his illicit behavior. Nana Patekar stated that despite the criticism he will carry on his social work. The veteran actor said, “People can say whatever they want to say, I will keep doing my work.”
Read more: Nana Patekar under fire for having ‘history of sexual misconduct’
The latest controversy has shaken the Indian film industry. The big names of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan and Amir Khan have refrained from openly commenting on the issue. While Amitabh Bachchan remained tight-lipped on the controversy, Amir Khan resorted to a diplomatic answer. Ganesh Acharya, the choreographer, who was also the part of the alleged film clearly defended Nana Patekar and denied the statements of Tanushree Datta.
“I can confirm that nothing this sort of happened. It’s a wrong statement that Nana Ji called members of some political party on set”, he said. On the other hand, an Indian journalist Janice Sequeira took it to twitter to confirm the account of Datta’s statement of sexual harassment at the hands of Nana Patekar. In a twitter trend, she narrated a detailed version of the incident, quoting that she was there on the day, the whole episode happened.
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
I could see Tanushree on set, visibly upset about something. #NanaPatekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and a man (who I later found was the producer) were having a conversation, while 50-odd dancers sat waiting. The official version was that the “heroine was not cooperating”.
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
The chat I had with Dutta hours after the incident was identical to the account she’s come out with now. How could a person’s version remain the same a decade later if there wasn’t any truth to it?
[Our chat was off-the-record, even though she went on to give interviews later.]
— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018
Another witness came forward to support Tanushree’s claim.
Everything in this thread happened exactly the way it's written. It was my first film as an AD. I was proud of what you did then, @TanushreeDutta and I'm proud of you today. https://t.co/5IX01qn0nb
— Shyni Shetty (@SceneSorted) September 27, 2018
A lot of Bollywood celebrities have since come forward to support Datta.
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
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
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
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
Tanushree Datta in her recent interview made a bold assertion of being sexually harassed at the hands of Nana Patekar in 2008 on the sets of movie Horn OK Pleassss. She has claimed that Nana Patekar has the history of sexually and physically abusing the actresses working alongside him in the movies.