Days after actress Tanushree Dutta's sexual harassment allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar created a whirlwind, a gamut of stars like Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Vir Das and Anurag Kashyap have spoken out strongly in support of the former beauty queen and a safer working environment for women.
Tanushree had first raised the allegation against the actor in 2008. She brought the spotlight once again on her unpleasant experience of working with Nana during the shooting of "Horn 'Ok' Pleassss", in a recent interview.
Nana, 67, on Thursday denied all allegations and said: "What can I do about what one says? You tell me. What does it mean by sexual harassment."
While veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday chose to steer clear from commenting on the controversy, drawing flak from the social media world, a string of celebrities on Friday raised their voice.
Here's what they wrote:
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
Priyanka Chopra: The world needs to believe survivors.
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
Farhan Akhtar, who has launched a social campaign Men Against Rape and Discrimination or MARD in 2013, re-tweeted a string of posts by an eyewitness about the details of Tanushree's ordeal.
"This thread is very telling. Janice (Janice Sequeira, who at that time was with a news channel) was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when Tanushree Dutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago, she did not. And her story has not changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned," Farhan said.
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
Actress Richa Chadha wrote: "It hurts to be Tanushree Dutta right now. 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 did not back down -- (that) takes a special courage to be Tanushree Dutta."
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta tweeted: "India in general does not have a conducive work environment. Mental harassment, abuse and predatorial behaviour by people in positions of power are prevalent and considered perks of being in power. Years of oppression and colonial rule have permanently altered our DNA."
If a women speaks out about abuse, you listen. Even if it's on her deathbed 50 years after the incident,you listen. If you ask why she didn't speak earlier or you rush to dismiss her, the problem is with you. There will be investigation; but first, listen. Period. #TanushreeDutta
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) September 28, 2018
Several celebrities reference Sequeira's Twitter thread in which she recalled the incident as a cub reporter in Mumbai a decade ago.
"Some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with Tanushree is one such incident," she wrote, before narrating her side of the story.
#IBelieveYouTanushreeDutta https://t.co/slMxDwcGWx
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 27, 2018
Actress Swara Bhasker shared her post, and wrote: "This is a long thread, but one that must be read.... lots of clues here as to why Bollywood's #MeToo moment is so far away. Because we don't want to hear these voices."
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
Producer-author Twinkle Khanna also shared Sequeira's posts and tweeted: "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!"
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
Actress Parineeti Chopra wrote: "Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them."
Urging Twitterati to read Sequeira's thread, Konkona Sensharma wrote: "We all know the reality of the power imbalance that exists in the workplace. Let us encourage these voices instead of shaming them so that others may have the strength to come forward."
This should stop the speculation .. about the intention of the survivor https://t.co/1R9Zs12DIM
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) September 28, 2018
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has also raised his voice and said "people should stop the questioning of intention of Tanushree Dutta because there is a witness account of what happened".
Comedian-actor Vir Das wrote: "For men, a big part of the #MeToo movement is listening to women tell their story. Supporting them with belief. Tanushree Dutta is telling hers. Be a good man, shut your mouth, and listen to it. There are many many more like it in our industry. And they deserve to be heard.
"An actor's professional choices should not dictate how they get treated in the work place. All work places must be safe and fair. If you're bringing up an actor's filmography to justify the harassment they faced.... You are a piece of sh*t," he added.
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
Perhaps this is the jumpstart Bollywood requires for its own #MeToo moment. Tanushree Dutta said that when she spoke about being harassed by Nana Patekar 10 years ago - he allegedly 'grabbed' her while filming a song and is also accused of sending political goons to intimidate and threaten the actress when she refused his advances - she was silenced and cast out of Bollywood. Janice Sequeira confirms that the official version was "heroine being difficult and uncooperative."
Even now, Bollywood's first reaction was a refusal to comment (Amitabh Bachchan) and a cautious, diplomatic statement from Aamir Khan. Filmmaker Farah Khan posted a photo of a smiling Nana Patekar with Housefull 4 co-stars Kriti Sanon and Pooja Hegde, also smiling as if oblivious of the accusations against Mr Patekar.
Twinkle's husband Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth have been named by Tanushree Dutta as having known of Nana Patekar's alleged bad behaviour yet working with him in films. But not all actors looked the other way, she said. Ms Dutta told DNA that Irrfan Khan and Suniel Shetty stood up for her while filming Chocolate when the director (Vivek Agnihotri, whom she didn't name) allegedly instructed her to 'take her clothes off and dance's for a scene.
On Friday, Nana Patekar's lawyer told ANI that they are taking legal action against the actress, saying: "She has made false allegations and has spoken untruth. We will send the notice later today which will be basically a notice seeking apology for her statements making allegations."
