Indian actress and former Miss India Tanushree Dutta, who earlier this week alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar sexually harassed her, has received much support as well as silence from Bollywood. Dutta says Patekar harassed her 10 years ago. However, Patekar had denied them at the time.
Dutta alleges that Patekar wanted an “intimate step” with her in a dance number in the film, “Horn OK Please.” When she wouldn’t give in to his demands, Dutta alleges that Patekar called some workers of a local political party, who damaged her car and threatened her.
Although there was silence when the news first came out, several major Bollywood personalities have finally begun speaking up about Dutta’s alleged harassment within the film industry. Big names such as Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar have urged authorities to take action and have stressed that believing survivors is important.
Farhan was actually one of the first Bollywood stars to voice support for Dutta, who recently revealed that actor Patekar and director Vivek Agnihotri had harassed her on set.
Replying to a Twitter thread by journalist Janice Sequeira, Farhan 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.”
Chopra also tweeted: “Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors.”
Chopra ‘s cousin, actor Parineeti Chopra also tweeted her support. “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,” she wrote.
By: Maytinee Kramer
