Indian film actress Tanushree Dutta has alleged that the Padma Shri and National Award-winning actor, Nana Patekar sexually harassed her on the sets of Horn OK Please movie in 2008.
In a television interview, Ms Dutta said an intimate dance scene with Nana Patekar was introduced at the last minute which was meant to be a solo dance.
“I complained to the director of the film that I was being grabbed and made to dance. Instead of taking any action, they introduced an intimate dance scene at the last minute at his behest in what was going to be a solo song,” she told in an interview with Zoom TV.
The actress then narrates how she refused to film the song and locked herself in the van.
She alleges goons were called in to force her out of the van.
An Indian film journalist who was present on the sets in a Twitter thread has corroborated Ms Dutta’s claims.
Source: Instagram/Tanushree Dutta
Janice Sequeira in her tweets has shared she was there on the sets when the alleged incident took place.
“Tanushree told me that after three days of rehearsals, Ganesh Acharya changed every step on the day of the shoot. Nana Patekar was never meant to be part of the choreography but coerced the producers into getting him to shake a leg with Dutta.
“Later, she said, a lewd dance step was introduced on the insistence of Nana Patekar, so he could touch her inappropriately. That’s where alarm bells rang, and Tanushree decided to walk off set. What she didn’t expect was the aggression shown by the producers after,” she wrote.
Ms Dutta eventually opted out of the film citing Nana Patekar's misbehaviour as the reason.
Stars speak out in support of Tanushree Dutta
Many Bollywood stars have voiced their support for the actress.
Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Richa Chadha, Farhan Akhtar were among those who came out in support of Ms Dutta.
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Nana Patekar dismisses allegations
The man at the centre of the controversy has dismissed Ms Dutta’s allegations against him.
Nana Patekar told Times Now that he is considering legal action and claimed support from the film unit present at the time.
"What do you mean sexual harassment? There were 50-100 people on the set with me," Mr Patekar said, adding, "Will see what I can do legally. It's a waste talking (to media), you guys will play up anything."
India’s #MeToo moment?
Ms Dutta who debuted in 2005 film Aashiq Banaya Aapne and has starred in films like Dhol, Good Boy, Bad Boy and Apartment says, she hopes this revelation goes beyond just #Metoo.
“I don't just hope for a me-too movement in India I hope for Mahabharata..,” she wrote on her Instagram.
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