Freida Pinto urges country to “stand up and speak”
MUMBAI MIRROR (October 4, 2018)

Deepak Kesarkar, Minister of State for Rural Finance Planning, came out in support of Nana Patekar on Wednesday after Tanushree Dutta accused the veteran actor of harassing her on the sets of the 2008 film, Horn Ok Pleassss. Kesarkar said that Nana is known as a social worker and called him an “illustrious personality”.

He also questioned the veracity of Dutta’s claims and asked why was an FIR not registered all these years, adding that unless there is a complaint, one can’t accuse a person of Nana’s stature. “What is the substantial evidence on which a complaint can be registered a decade after the incident took place?” he argued.

Meanwhile, Tanushree found an ally in Freida Pinto who contended that the actress’s allegations should “shake the core” of the nation and that of the ideology that, for too long, has gotten away with heinous crimes against women.

Freida added that she did not know Tanushree personally but would like to stand by her. “I add my voice to the other voices coming out in support of Tanushree’s bravery because God knows this is not going to be easy for you, Tanushree. But what you have done is monumental...” she applauded, adding, “I Believe Tanushree Dutta! I don’t need to know her personally, neither do I have to be present on that horrendous day when she got bullied... to corroborate her story.”