Divya Kaushik (BOMBAY TIMES; December 26, 2018)

After a five-month stay in India, and starting a movement that helped women open up about harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace, Tanushree Dutta is all set to return to New Jersey. The actress accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008 and filed FIR against him in October. Though Tanushree has maintained that she will be in India whenever required for any follow up on her case, her sister Ishita Dutta and their family will be present on her behalf for other legal procedures in her absence. Ishita, tells us, “My family and I will take things forward on her behalf. We are proud that she started this movement and we are just hoping that this movement doesn’t die in a few months.”

Ishita, who has worked in TV shows like Ek Ghar Banaunga and films like Drishyam, adds that the last few months have been tough for the family, but they have always supported Tanushree. “This (the incident) happened 10 years ago and my sister spoke about it back then also, but it is sad that no action was taken. I was in college at that time and I clearly remember people banging on the car with my father and sister sitting inside it. I saw it on the television and was terrified. We are simple people and it was too much for us to take. I think that incident has scarred my father for life. It was very upsetting for all of us. Even now, as a family, we were scared and there were a lot of people around us telling us don’t say this or that. We always supported my sister and encouraged her to speak, but we were scared of threats and terrified about her safety. There was a point when she even had police protection. All all this happening to your loved one surely freaks you out,” says Ishita.

Being a part of the industry herself, Ishita says that the biggest change she has noticed is people acknowledging the offenders and taking steps. She adds, “The first change that has come in the industry is the acknowledgment. Now, there are people supporting us from within the industry. We have actors who have stopped working with certain actors and directors who were accused during the #MeToo movement. The Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA) is trying to come up with some solution and taking necessary steps. We understand that a big change won’t come overnight, but at least there is acknowledgment of these stories that have come up. There are renowned directors and actors speaking about #MeToo movement at forums. A lot of people from the industry called and supported us. I get very angry when sometimes people take it as a joke and say, ‘Arre pata nahi #MeToo mein kuch likh diya toh’, but at least that fear is there now.” She said that women often tell her that Tanushree inspired them to speak about their stories of harassment, too. “Though there are still girls who feel that they are not at that level in their career when they can speak up. They fear that the minute they speak up they will just be replaced in their workplace. But, there is also a good number of women from different fields who often come to me, some even break down, telling me how my sister’s incident has given them courage to speak up,” adds Ishita.