The actress has opposed the police’s claim of having no evidence in the molestation case she filed against Nana Patekar
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; July 8, 2019)

Tanshuree Dutta has opposed the city police’s claim that it has no evidence to prosecute actor Nana Patekar in a molestation case filed by her against him before a Mumbai court. On June 12, the suburban Oshiwara police filed a B-Summary report before a metropolitan magistrate in Andheri. A report of this nature is filed when police do not find any evidence against the accused to file a charge sheet and seek trial. Tanushree's advocate Nitin Satpute told the magistrate court on Saturday that they were opposing the police’s B-Summary report. Speaking on the development to Bombay Times from USA, she affirmed the news. “Yes, we are opposing the B-Summary report. We are not accepting it because I think the police has been given ample proof. It’s a harassment case and everyone has seen how much proof is there, with our witnesses talking to the media about it now, and the video footage of my car getting attacked in 2008. It’s so crystal clear and yet they had the audacity to file that report. By doing that, they have put their heads in the hornet’s nest.”

The actress adds, “There were lots of discrepancies that we found in the report itself. There were a lot things like how they kept us in the dark and didn’t give us the documents. We were also supposed to receive a copy of the whole B-Summary report and we still haven’t received it. It was supposed to be shared with us. My advocates need it to be able to oppose it and prepare a report, too.” She adds, “I think they registered my FIR just for show; we were always kept in the dark about what was happening. Of the witnesses that they included in the report, 90% were not even on set (of Horn Ok Pleasss) when the incident happened. How can you procure witness statements, when half of those names are of people we don’t even recognise! And there is no way to prove if they were on set that day. I guess, they thought they’ll do rafa-dafa and I’ll not say anything about it, but I will not back down because filing this B-Summary means they are trying to prove my complaint is false and malicious.”

Tanushree in her complaint filed in October 2018, accused Patekar of harassing and misbehaving with her while shooting a song on the sets of the film Horn Ok Pleasss in 2008. Based on her complaint, a cae was registered against Nana and three others — choreographer Ganesh Acharya, film's producer Samee Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang - for allegedly molesting her on the sets of the movie. However, the 'B Summary' report absolved Nana, Ganesh, Samee and Rakesh of the charges. She adds, “There is enough evidence to put the spotlight on these four accused. The circumstantial evidence is so strong.”

The hearing will be held on September 7. When asked whether she will be present in Mumbai for it, she said, “I don’t know my travel plans as yet. My team will be there to represent me. But I will say this: I am completely on top of it. I am in touch with everything that’s going on. I won’t let go; I’m used to the game-playing, so now I’m ready with my arsenal,” she signs off.

Insisting that witnesses were yet to testify, Tanushree Dutta on her alleged sexual predator Nana Patekar getting away in #MeToo case
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; June 14, 2019)

It was at 4 am in New Jersey yesterday when Tanushree Dutta received a call from her publicist stating that the Mumbai police had dismissed her sexual harassment case against Nana Patekar. The collapse of the case evidently came as a blow to Dutta, who sparked off Bollywood’s #MeToo movement late last year.

Dutta, who had followed her case till the end, often pulling up the system for delaying the proceedings, is evidently perturbed. “This is just not done,” she says, alluding to the fact that the news was being broken to her by her publicist. “The police is supposed to inform me or my advocate first. We were kept in the dark. The cops were in a hurry to reveal the developments to the media. I am appalled that they have given him [Patekar] a clean chit. I wasn’t expecting justice, but the way things were done is sad. Why the hurry when the witnesses were yet to testify?”

Citing a decade-old incident that took place on the sets of Horn OK Pleassss when she first accused Patekar of harassment, Dutta was egged on to take the legal route to add weight to her words. “I was told to file an FIR; I did. I was asked to get witnesses; I did. There is a video recording of my car getting attacked while I was seated in it on the set. I have given a copy of the letter that I wrote to CINTAA complaining about the 2008 incident. [How can they cite] lack of proof?” she questions.

Having previously pointed out that rape accused Alok Nath too got a clean chit, she makes her thinning faith in the Indian judiciary evident. “I know how these systems work. On the surface, it is one thing, but internally there’s a lot of plotting and manoeuvring,” she says, before asserting that her co-artistes in the film could have extended their support. “I am told that [Daisy Shah] does not remember anything. It is a convenient amnesia.”

Those who did speak up are equally bothered by the verdict. Horn OK pleassss assistant director Shyni Shetty tells mid-day, “I recorded my statement at the Oshiwara police station, so this [news is] heartbreaking. I am not sure what proof are the cops looking for,” says Shetty. She had extended her support to Dutta at the onset of the movement when stating: “It was obvious something happened”. Shetty now adds, “I saw her leave the set twice, but how does one verify if she was touched inappropriately. The police is looking for technicalities. Should there have been a rape for them to act on this? How do they expect sexual misdemeanor to be proven?”

Even as the verdict has divided the fraternity, Dutta says the fall of this case shouldn’t deter others from speaking up. “[Women] will never get justice in court. Law-enforcers will not hear [them]. So, they must continue to name and shame their perpetrators on social media. #MeToo is more of a social movement.”

Up To Court Now To Decide On Closure
V Narayan (THE TIMES OF INDIA; June 14, 2019)

Mumbai: The Oshiwara police have filed a report before an Andheri magistrate court stating that the case of sexual harassment filed by Tanushree Dutta against coactor Nana Patekar was “false”. As there was no evidence to prosecute Patekar, the police said while attaching their B Summary or case closure report, they were closing the case. It is now for the court to decide if the case stands closed or is to be carried forward.

The police report added Tanushree had filed the case “because of a misunderstanding and without malicious intent”. The case, lodged on October 6 last year, had marked the launch of the #MeToo movement in India.

Police said the actress had, after first filing a complaint with CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) in March 2008, “settled the matter” the same month after a meeting with the production house for the film Horn OK Pleassss. At the meeting, which took place in front of officials of CINTAA and IFTPC (Indian Film and TV Production Council), the cops said, it was agreed the producers would pay Tanushree “Rs 5 lakh + 10% service tax, and the matter would not be stretched any further.”
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BOMBAY TIMES (June 14, 2019)

According to reports, Nana Patekar has been given a clean chit by the police in the sexual harassment case filed by Tanushree Dutta, last year. The case was closed on the grounds that there was no prima facie evidence against the actor. About a month ago, reports had surfaced that Patekar’s name had been cleared in this case, however, Tanushree told BT that the investigation was still on, and such stories were only an attempt to help the actor’s career. In the complaint filed with the police, she had accused Patekar of misbehaving with her during the shoot of a song for the film Horn Ok Pleassss (2008). She had also accused Ganesh Acharya (who was choreographing the song), stating that he had stepped aside ‘obediently’ when Nana behaved inappropriately with her. When BT reached out to Acharya, about the latest development, he said, “I have also been given a clean chit. I haven’t spoken to Nana Patekar yet, but I am very relieved. We have to trust our judiciary and our cops to do their best. After so many months of working on the matter, the cops have given Nana and me a clean chit. Sacchai ki jeet hui. It’s good that this case has found closure. I am yet to discuss our next step with my team.”
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Tanushree Dutta, who kick-started the #MeToo movement in Bollywood last year, says that actor Nana Patekar, who she had accused of sexual misconduct on the sets of their film Horn OK Pleassss (2009), has not been given a clean chit by the police, contrary to reports
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2019)

Reports surfaced on Thursday evening about actor Nana Patekar being given a clean chit by the police in the Tanushree Dutta sexual misconduct case. However, Tanushree, speaking to BT from the US, said, “These are just rumours. I have spoken to my advocate Nitin Satpute, who has confirmed it with the police. The investigation is still going on. And yes, it’s true that it’s been slow. As I have mentioned earlier, we had a lot of difficulty in even convincing witnesses to come forth and give their statements. So, only one or two witnesses recorded their statement right after the FIR. After that, we’ve been having a tough time trying to convince other witnesses. Some of them said that they would come forward and speak, but they did not turn up. We got to know that they have been getting dubious calls, semi-threatening stuff, which has got them worried”.

‘IT WAS STRANGE HOW SOME WITNESSES WOULD PROMISE TO SHOW UP AND THEN, EVENTUALLY NOT TURN UP’
Talking about witnesses who have come forward to support Nana Patekar, Tanushree says, “These witnesses are random people, and we don’t know if they were even present on the set that day.” She adds, “As you are aware in film units there is no employer-employee listing that is maintained (at least back then). It’s all informal. So, there is no way to confirm whether that person, who is pretending to be a witness and saying they don’t remember anything, was ever present on the day of the incident that happened ten years ago. What do they mean by saying they don’t remember? This is an attempt to mislead the law. The fact is that, such a thing happened on the set (of Horn OK Pleassss) when there were so many people present and nobody did anything about it. These four people — Nana, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang — have gotten away with harassing and threatening me. Later on, when I tried to leave, my car got attacked while I was inside the car with my family. All this took place and everyone around chose to keep quiet back then. So, why would they come forth now and speak up against it? I doubt if any of the original people are even being spoken to. Apart from the core team, there were dancers, technicians, etc, but no one knows who these people are, as there is no record maintained of their names. So, everything is dubious. On top of this, we know that our witnesses have been getting calls and are being told, ‘Oh, why do you want to get into this? Aap ko court ke chakkar lagney padengey, aur baad mein yeh hoga, woh hoga’. A lot of times, people don’t report harassment as they think, ‘Kya hoga? Kuch nahi hoga’. I do hope things speed up with the case; that would be an ideal situation. In fact, initially, when I was still in India, I was hoping that all of witness statements would be done and over with, in a couple of months. It was strange how some of witnesses would promise to show up and then, eventually not turn up.”

‘THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL GOING ON AND WE ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE OUR WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD’
Tanushree says that this battle is far from over for her and everyone involved. “This is an attempt to set an example for the rest of the country as I think that we really need to buckle up our belts when it comes to women’s safety and protection in our country. There has been no ‘clean chit’ or even ‘almost clean chit’ given to Nana, as reported. I have confirmed this with my advocate, who has confirmed the same with the cops. There has been no statement insinuating this. The investigation is on and we are trying to convince our witnesses to come forward. It is not over, and any kind of result or judgment will only come after the investigation is fully over,” she explains.

‘WOMEN STILL DEAL WITH STIGMA OF HARASSMENT AND THEY DON’T SPEAK UP’
Though the going has been tough, Tanushree stuck to her decision. What motivates her? “Well, something had to be done. I have suffered long enough because of the results of that incident. Life did get very tough at times and I don’t want that for anybody else,” she says, adding, “Dealing with the case is a bit of a bother as I am busy with my life here in the US. But when I have started something, I will stick by it. I know that this is not just about me anymore. I have moved on in my life. But there is an entire nation that is still dealing with a lot of stigma when it comes to harassment and crimes of sexual nature. Women still deal with stigma and they don’t speak up. They suffer in silence. If I can help make the situation better, then why not? If someone like me can be harassed, troubled and attacked and nothing comes of it, then what hope is there for those women, who do 9-to-5 jobs in the city and travel by public transport on a daily basis. Many actresses in Bollywood — for fear of losing their jobs — have probably still kept quiet. I know instances of heinous things happening to popular actresses, but they have never spoken about it and they probably never will. But I am in a position to do something about it and if I can make a difference, I will.” 

Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; January 10, 2019)

She’s packing her bags as she gets ready to return to the US, while also unloading a lot of her emotions on the side. Tanushree Dutta, who leaves for New Jersey today, says that she has had enough of the negativity over the last few months. “This has been the longest vacation of my life and the most harrowing one. I almost don’t remember what my life was like in the US before this,” she says.

‘MY PARENTS WILL MISS ME’
The actress has mixed feelings about going back. “I have a peaceful and lovely life in the US and I like it there, but my parents, who live here, will miss me. They love it when I am here, even if I am in my room reading, or I’m out with friends. It has been a harrowing time for my parents, too, especially in the beginning, when they did not know how it would turn out. We come from an academic background and I was the first to join films from my family. But back in the day, if you mostly got parts in small, independent films, you ran the risk of ending up with experiences like what happened to me on the set of Horn Ok Pleassss (2009). When it happened, it shattered our perception of everything,” she shares.

‘I HAD NO INTENTION TO START A MOVEMENT’
While Tanushree will always be known as the woman who sparked the #MeToo movement in India, some have also called her an opportunist. She hits back, saying “Before I came to India, I was trying to move to another apartment in the suburbs of New Jersey, that did not work out, so my mom said, ‘Why don’t you come home?’ So, I flew down to Mumbai on a holiday and had no intention of starting any movement. I guess I became a de facto flag bearer of it.”

‘THE HARASSMENT LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH’
Ask her to sum up the last few months in a line, and she replies, “It doesn’t change. Around 10 years ago, I went through the same thing. When I spoke about this again a few months ago, there was a lot of mistrust and shaming. We live in a very judgmental country; I didn’t have a Godfather, grandfather or a boyfriend from the industry. I didn’t go around dating random men to further my career or attend random parties. I’m not judging people who do that. My connections are from the heart and people like us have to work our way up in the world.”

A decade may have passed by since that incident, but the actress says, “The harassment left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. I still get worked up when I talk about it. I knew that I deserved to be in a much better place and to work with better people, but at that time, I was not getting the right opportunities.”

‘I DON’T NEED TO COME TO INDIA TO GET INTO THE BIGG BOSS HOUSE’
Tanushree loves to travel and she says, “I never liked staying in Mumbai for too long, so every two or three months, I would take off. But after I went to the US, the entire two-year stay felt like a holiday, so I never felt the need to leave and go anywhere. Life is not very busy in America, but it’s just the kind of busy I like. Why would I want to disturb all that and get into a spot where I am being threatened and called all kinds of names? Everyone is throwing toxic stuff at me. They initially said, ‘Oh, she’s looking at entering Bigg Boss and ‘Oh, she’s trying to revive her career’. But I don’t need to come to India to get into the Bigg Boss house. I would rather come here to stay with my parents. My childhood friends know me well, the people who don’t know me at all are the ones making assumptions about me. I have never been the kind of person who’s enjoyed rolling in the muck and that’s also one of the reasons why I questioned my own decision to join Bollywood. So, from the time I did my first movie, I asked myself, ‘Do I belong here?’ At that time, there was nothing else that I could think of. But the Horn Ok Pleassss incident was the final nail in the coffin.”

‘I DO BELIEVE THAT LOVE AND ROMANCE EXIST’
What caught her attention was spirituality and Tanushree has been practising it for a few years now. “I don’t think one must go charging at life like a bull. When things come to me, I take it up. Someday, I might have my own business or probably write a book. I pursued the spiritual path because I needed it to fill up the gaps in my life. It has given me peace and it’s also made me instinctive. I have learnt about different religions, Western mysticism and also did about nine courses in Scientology in LA.”

On the personal front, is there anyone special in her life? “Not at the moment. I do believe that love and romance exist and that it has a place in one’s life, but it cannot consume one’s life. I’m 34 and wiser. Today, I can look people in the eye and read them better.”

Having decided to "give it back to them" Tanushree Dutta, who turned 34 this year, started speaking to online portals on the subject and soon was getting invited to events across the city
Gitanjali Chandrasekharan (MID-DAY; December 30, 2018)

When Tanushree Dutta, came to India a few months ago, the conversation she triggered was about her weight. It invited a fair bit of trolling, but the former Miss India, argues, "People are used to seeing me in old movies. Life goes on. One should not expect a public figure to look the same after 10 years."

Having decided to "give it back to them" Dutta, who turned 34 this year, started speaking to online portals on the subject and soon was getting invited to events across the city. Her presence would have gone unnoticed had it not been for a generic question that was thrown at her - Dutta says, it wasn't just her, other celebrities at an awards event were asked the same question - Why had the #MeToo movement not taken off in India?

"Answering instinctively, I said how can it happen when nothing came of my testimony of harassment 10 years ago. Nothing came of my complaint, it was brushed aside as a scandal. How can the #MeToo movement take off when we don't have a conducive environment?" Dutta was referring to 2008 when, on the sets of Horn Ok Pleassss, she had alleged molestation by co-star Nana Patekar and said that choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Samee Siddiqui did not take action when she brought up the issue. On set, when she walked out of the choreography sequence mid-way because of increasing discomfort with Patekar's proximity, Dutta was attacked by a mob of men and women from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, who was then supporting Patekar.

Like in 2008, Dutta had expected this interview too to go unnoticed and buried. But, it went viral. First online and then when she gave an interview to a television channel where she spoke candidly about the culture of harassment in Bollywood. It triggered an avalanche of #MeToo stories against industry biggies like Anu Malik, Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Mukesh Chabbra and Vicky Sidana. This time, with consequence. While CINTAA (which had initially buried Dutta's complaint) took up the matter again, the cops too filed an FIR. Support came from unlikely quarters: the film industry. Patekar was forced to step down from his role in Housefull 4, which was being shot at the time.

"Ten years ago, I was disappointed with the response I got. At the time, actors were treated as freak shows, not human beings with feelings. But, when support started coming in, I was surprised. Then, more support followed. When you have no expectations everything is a bonus."

The difference she says, lies in the consciousness of the people and a more evolved media. "Different publications and media houses gave me an unbiased platform to speak. This consciousness had risen partly because of the #MeToo movement in the West."

She agrees that the stories that have been told are just a tip of the ice-berg. Many actresses are possibly afraid of repercussions of speaking out. "People saw what I went through. I was subjected to slut shaming, legal notices and a vicious smear campaign."

In 2008, the episode drove her out of an industry in which she had just begun finding her feet, and in 2016, she finally moved to the US. In 2018, she agrees she came from a position of privilege where she no longer feared losing work or the anxiety of rejection. "I could afford to take this burden on myself and I am glad I did." Dutta's firm belief is that "we all should know our rights and be proactive in insisting that we get those rights. That they are enforced. That's when people will be careful."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 15, 2018)

Last month, Tanushree Dutta talked about being sexually harassed by Nana Patekar on the sets of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss in 2008. Several Bollywood celebrities tweeted in support of her. Among them was actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna. Tanushree thanked her, but also questioned the writer about her husband Akshay Kumar working with Nana in Housefull 4. When Farah Khan posted a picture with Nana on the way to Jaisalmer for the film’s shoot, the Aashiq Banaya actress slammed her, too, for it.

Since then, things have changed drastically. A few days ago, Sajid Khan, who was directing Housefull 4, was accused of sexual harassment by three women. Akshay tweeted that he has requested the producers of the comic caper to cancel the shoot until further investigation. He also wrote that he will not work with proven offenders and those harassed should be heard and given justice they deserve. Soon after, Sajid stepped down as director and later, Nana also opted out for “the convenience of everybody.”

We asked Tanushree if she feels vindicated. “Let’s say I am not celebrating, yet because there is so much more that needs to be done. I am glad that somebody like Akshay finally decided to put his foot down and has chosen to not work with people such as these. I am also happy that Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and a couple of other production houses are taking a stand, but I would not want this to be a one-time Right now, the situation is hot, so let’s disassociate and at a later date collaborate again. So, I am just seeing where this is going before I can raise a toast,” she said.

However, the actress feels that whatever happened is a milestone. “Actors taking a stand by disassociating themselves, the Housefull 4 fiasco, production houses like Phantom Films dissolving, MAMI dropping films, and concrete steps being taken are an encouraging thing. Earlier, it was only about me talking, then people supporting me, then more people coming forward with their stories... it becoming an issue on the national level and structures falling. This is what is needed for more people to come forward with their experiences. They need to be assured that they would be heard and their words would have an effect. I want to push the movement. I know there are many people with horrifying stories that are untold and need to come to light,” elaborates the torchbearer of the #MeTooMovement.

Recently, Tanushree has lodged a police complaint against Nana, which she doesn’t want to discuss as investigations are on. Nevertheless, she is waiting for CINTAA to take action. “Not only Nana, but I also want CINTAA to take action against the other three accused — choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Samee Siddiqui. I want them to be taken to task, too. It would be a big statement that a film body would make. These guys bullied me and pressured me... (so) just one guy dropping from the film does not make me feel vindicated. This is not a revenge campaign. It goes much deeper than that. I lost 10 years of my life, was away from my work, which is my passion,” she says.

At the same time, the actress is grateful for all the support she has been getting. “I appreciate any and all support I got, especially if it is encouraging other people to come forward. Vinta Nanda said she was encouraged by me. Now, people are scared and are thinking, ‘What did we do, who did we do it to?’ because you never know whose name will come up. Some think it will all go away after a while but I don’t want that to happen,” she concludes.

Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; October 13, 2018)

Actress Daisy Shah was a 22-year-old assistant dance choreographer to Ganesh Acharya on the set when the controversial song featuring Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar (for the film of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss), was being shot in 2008. Over the years, Tanushree has repeatedly accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her while shooting for the song.

Daisy, who was present on the film’s set that day, tells us, “Though I was there on the set, I don’t know what happened. On the first two days, the shoot went off smoothly, but on the third day, I sensed that Tanushree was upset. Post lunch, something happened and I am not aware what it was. She locked herself in the vanity van. By then, the media also reached and it snowballed into a huge controversy. All I know is that something went terribly wrong and Tanushree’s shoot came to a halt.”

Quiz her on why she was unaware of what happened when she was present on the set and Daisy replies, “The set was huge and there were close to 70-80 dancers. My job involves setting up the shot once the choreographer has said how he wants it done. I am also required to execute the shot as an assistant choreographer. If something transpired in the midst of setting up the shot, placing the dancers and making them rehearse, I would not be aware of it.”

Addressing Tanushree’s allegations, Daisy adds, “Tanushree’s allegation is that she was sexually harassed. Only she knows the truth. If she has gone through this experience, I truly sympathise with her. She has spoken about her experience and it has given other women the courage to do the same. There is proximity between a male actor and a female actor when a song is being shot. If something happened at that time, no one apart from Tanushree can vouch for it.”

Reacting to stories of Tanushree being called unprofessional in the past, Daisy adds, “Tanushree was not unprofessional, she was only doing whatever she was being asked to do.”

Nayandeep Rakshit and Hiren Kotwani (DNA; October 3, 2018)

The Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy is taking a new turn every day. While the actress has shared her side of the story, the Welcome Back actor has not spoken on the issue yet. We hear that Nana, who is currently shooting for Housefull 4 in Jaisalmer, is likely to address a press conference after his return to the city this weekend. Over the last few days, there has been a lot of hullabaloo about a legal notice sent by Nana’s lawyer to Tanushree, which she has been denying.

When contacted, the actress said, “Things are happening exactly like the way they happened 10 years ago. Back then, Nana had threatened me with a lawsuit and he had left it at that. So, he’s using the same tactic again this time, to not only shut me down but others as well. Today, he and his lawyer are creating an atmosphere of fear among people, so that others, who have had a similar experience with him, don’t come out and share their stories. These are all methods to pressurise me. He’s scared that others, too, will come out and speak about the way he has behaved with them.”

She further added, “I want them to send the notice. But where is it? He must have made it and shared photocopies of it with the media but he’s definitely not sent it to me. They are just pulling a bluff and con to stop other people from coming forward. Nana has behaved objectionably with many others, too.”

When probed about the reported threats to destroy her career, she countered, “Where’s the career to destroy? They already destroyed it 10 years ago. They broke my spirit enough to make me walk away from everything. I had 30-40 film offers right after Horn Ok Pleassss but the trauma of this incident made me leave all of it. There was no justice, no retribution; there wasn’t even an acknowledgement from the film industry. How can I go back and work in an ecosystem where something like this can happen to me again? That’s why I went away. Isn’t that destruction already?”

However, Nana’s lawyer Rajendra Shirodkar maintained that they have sent the legal notice. He stated, “I have got the acknowledgement that the notice has been received. As for her claims of pressure tactics, etc, assuming we have not sent (the notice), what pressure tactics is she implying?” He further adds, “Since the last five days, I’m hearing the same things. No one is threatening her; so what is she talking about? She’s got a cough, is under the weather... media is reporting it as if Nana is to blame for that, too. I don’t know why so much importance is being given to her. She has no credibility.”

Shyni Shetty, an Assistant Director on Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss, looks back to the day along with two other technicians who were also present on the set
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 29, 2018) 

Writer-filmmaker Shyni Shetty who has recently written some popular shows, had moved to Mumbai in 2006 and Rakesh Sarang’s 2009 comedy Horn ‘OK’ Pleassss was her first job as an assistant director. She recalls that they were shooting a song sequence with lots of dancers on a big set in Filmistaan and informs that even during rehearsals, it was evident that Tanushree was uncomfortable about something. “You could tell that something was bothering her. She left the set after a while and many people walked in and out of her vanity van trying to convince her to return. She did after a while but after 10-15 minutes of rehearsing with Nana (Patekar) and the other dancers she stormed out again, really upset, went into her van and shut the door. Soon there were murmurs that she was not cooperating and they would have to stop the shoot,” reminisces Shyni, saying she was sure something had happened to trigger such a reaction.

When quizzed on whether Nana was always a part of the song or he had made himself a part of it, she admitted she had no idea. “None of us ADs were privy to such information, but I could see she was uncomfortable, really worked up, and just wanted to get out of there,” Shyni adds.

She goes on to reveal that soon the actress changed out of her costume and got out of the vanity wearing her regular clothes. “That was when we realised that something grave had happened. Around this time a mob arrived on the set. I don’t know who these people were, but when she got into her car to leave, they broke the glass windows and it took close to 15 minutes to get her out of there,” she adds.

However, Girish Vasaikar, who was the Chief AD on the film, counters her claim saying no goons had descended on the set. When prodded on the subject, he informs that he wasn’t on the set when said incident took place. “When I reached the set, I was informed that Tanushree had left. She didn’t come out the whole day. Ganesh (Acharya, choreographer) master was also there. I can’t comment on what I didn’t see,” he keeps it short.

Meanwhile, the film’s production controller, Jasbir Singh, informs that Nana was on the set doing his rehearsals. When asked if the actor had misbehaved, he says, “Nana ji did nothing wrong. Tanushree didn’t come out of her van. Later her father came to pick her up. The media persons tried to stop her to ask questions, she wouldn’t answer them. I did not see any goons on the set. It was the media who wouldn’t allow her to take the car out. In the melee, some media person got hurt,” he says.

Shyni refutes this saying there was a group present and they were definitely not from the press. “Yes, there was press on the set wanting to know what happened. But there is also no denying that there was a mob too that broke her car’s windows,” she maintains.

And how did Nana react to the incident? “I think everyone left the set after that. Rakhi Sawant joined us two days later and we shot the song with her. Nana was also part of it,” she says.

Khalid Mohamed (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 29, 2018)

There are hundreds of Tanushree Duttas out there in the show business who want to tell their true-life stories, but cannot.

This is Bollywood, not Hollywood, home to the #MeToo movement.  Moreover, the question of being financially compensated just doesn’t arise, or rarely figures in such scenarios.

Nana Patekar, charged with sexual misconduct by actress Tanushree Dutta at the shoot of the film Horn OK Pleassss... eight years ago, has stated that he will now see her in court.

Tanushree Dutta has not responded immediately. No compensation has been demanded from Patekar for her thwarted career nor from the allegedly complicit director Rakesh Sarang, producer Samee Siddique and choreographer Ganesh Acharya who, according to her, were witness to the incident.

She is the first leading lady to have spoken up, prompting supportive tweets from a measurable cross-section of Bollywood’s actors, including Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka, Parineeti Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Sonam K Ahuja, Raveena Tandon and Richa Chadha.

Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan have ducked the question upon being quizzed by the media at promotional functions.

Currently, public curiosity is vicariously high on the face-off between the 34-year-old actress and the 67-year-old stalwart Nana Patekar who has described her “like my own daughter.”

Several insiders of the Bollywood trade are cynical about Tanushree Dutta, stating that her accusations are an attention-grabbing ploy. Others, while respecting Patekar as a brilliant actor, point out to his mood swings and his liaisons with actresses — among them Manisha Koirala — which went on the rocks.

None of these put-downers are relevant to the case which touches upon the oldest bugaboo in the movies. It’s more than high time, though, that the individual parties here — Tanushree Dutta versus Patekar, Sarang, Siddique and Acharya, are all given a fair hearing and due justice meted, which would be a landmark in the realm of Bollywood, as it is expected to be in Hollywood vis-à-vis the ongoing-trial against Harvey Weinstein.

Indian avatars of Weinstein have been around in the Mumbai film industry since forever. Some attempt to be discreet, appointing middle-men to fix meetings with aspiring heroines at five-star hotel suites. Others get more brazen with time, inviting wannabe heroines and starlets to spend some “chill time” at their seaside resorts on the city’s outskirts.

An ageing industrialist, who viewed himself as a one-man MGM studio, was fond of weekend dawn-to-dusk parties at Alibaug. Starlets in bikinis would dot the freshwater pool. Photographs were strictly disallowed. He went bankrupt before he could get his first magnum opus rolling.

By contrast, a former prolific producer-director would invite vulnerable aspirants to a Madh island resort. One of them, a former Miss India, said (off-the-record naturally), “It was all so cheesy that I caught an autorickshaw and got the hell out of the resort. Needless to say, I didn’t get the role which he said I was perfect for.”

Undeniably, statements from anonymous sources are insufficient evidence about Bollywood’s favourite sport and pastime. They are being cited here because over the decades a set-pattern has emerged.

Catch-phrases, “Are you willing to wear a bikini?”, “How about a script reading in Bangkok for a couple of days?” or that old chestnut, “My wife doesn’t understand me. So I’m looking for a friend, a good friend — you understand?” are the inevitable pick-up lines.

Even if any A, B or C is about to venture into filmmaking, the first crack is, “Oh, so you can now enjoy the casting couch.” The rank chauvinistic attitude towards women can be detected in every profession. In filmmaking, unfortunately, it is a given.

A rage from the 1970s laughs, “This thing about the casting couch is so passé now. Everyone of us has gone through it, without exception. Once during a lunch break, when I was alone in my make-up room, this famous director barged in and pounced on me till I began to scream.” A near-similar instance was reported when Mamta Kulkarni cried foul against Rajkumar Santoshi during the filming of China Gate (1998). Her allegation was that the director demanded a kiss.

There have been occasions when allegations of rape and sexual assault have come out into the open. Circa 2004, acting aspirant Preeti Jain had claimed that Madhur Bhandarkar had raped her 16 times between 1999 to 2004 and had promised to marry her. The case was eventually decided against her and she was charged with conspiracy to murder Bhandarkar. Subhash Kapoor, director of the Jolly LLB series, was accused of rape by actress Geetika Tyagi. She was said to have presented video footage and had wept on camera, “I cannot trust any man who asks me out for coffee without feeling f…..g jittery.” Subsequently, Geetika has shown up in a couple of TV series.

After the initial sensationalism and media interest, the to-and-fro accusations become old news. Associations for the welfare of film artistes exist but seem to be already overburdened with miscellaneous issues. After the quick tweets from co-artistes, the pros and cons of various cases, fade into a misty la-la-land as it were.

Above all, screen heroines subjected to sexual insinuations and transgressions, do not speak up if they have been victimised by A-listers. Besides putting an end to their intensely-competitive careers, it would be one woman’s voice against a power grid. Thereby hang an incalculable number of stories untold.

Earlier this year, the usually feisty choreographer Saroj Khan on being asked to comment on Telugu actor Sri Reddy’s protest against the casting couch, had remarked, “This is not a new thing, this has existed for a long time. Everyone wants to take advantage of girls, even the government.” She later apologised for the comments.

With a variety of mind-sets and attitudes, then, towards the status of women in the film industry, right now the plot thickens.

Actress on why she’s taking on her alleged molester after 10 yrs
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 28, 2018)

Back in 2008, actress and former pageant queen Tanushree Dutta had accused Nana Patekar of misbehaving with her verbally and physically during the shooting of a song for the film Horn OK Pleassss.

She also said that the film’s choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Samee Siddique, ganged up against her, witnessing everything, but not interfering.

While Nana had responded by calling a press conference to refute her claims, Tanushree’s car was vandalised on the sets of the film.

Ten years on, the actress who’d retreated from the spotlight soon after the incident, has spoken up again, hailing it as the advent of the #MeToo movement in Bollywood.

Patekar dismissed her claim during a conversation with Mirror Now. “What can I do about it? Tell me? How would I know?” he asked with a laugh, adding, “What does she mean by sexual harassment? There are 50–100 people on the sets with me. Will see what I can do legally,” the 67-year-old actor said.

Rakesh Sarang, director of Horn Ok Pleassss, backed Patekar during an interview to a daily recently. “She misunderstood his encouragement. See, if your boss wants to flirt with you, he won’t do it in a public area.  He will call you in his cabin,” he argued.

Tanushree spoke to Mirror about the controversy. Excerpts:

Did Hollywood’s #MeToo movement inspire you to open up on this 10-year controversy?
It definitely inspired me, more so because there had been no resolution. Nana has continued to tarnish my reputation over the last 10 years by spreading lies. He has caused irreparable damage to my life and property. He should be taken to task.

Why didn’t you take him to court 10 years ago?
They threatened me (Nana and Rakesh Sarang), saying, “Abhi tu police station ke chakkar laga rahi hai, baad mein court ke chakkar lagaegi.” Ten years later, they are trying to intimidate me with a court case again.

Did you shift base to the US because of this incident? You took to spirituality and quit on your film career?
To a large extent, yes. I was so traumatised by the incident that I chose to stay away from film sets. I would get plenty of offers, sometimes I would like the script and agree to a narration, but then I would be afraid of coming across another Nana Patekar and Ganesh Acharya. Nana is still trying to intimidate me but now his true colours have been revealed, the façade of the respectable manoos and actor is crumbling in front of the media.

Ganesh and Rakesh have come out in support of Nana, saying nothing like this happened on the sets, and it’s a publicity gimmick to orchestrate a Bollywood comeback.
They have been spreading lies about me for a decade, but they cannot do it forever. People have started believing me. Ten years ago, they crushed my spirit with the help of a political party, spoke against me in the media trying to project me as an unprofessional actor, they even tried to discredit me as a person. But I have now decided to stand up for myself and show this man for who he really is. Respectable men don’t threaten women with court cases.

In 2008 you approached the Cine and Television Artistes Association (CINTAA) demanding compensation for damages to your property and reputation. The director has said in a recent interview that they conceded to your demands.
Not true. I got no settlement, not even my payment. Even if they edited me out of the film, I should have been paid. The doors were shut for me. Nana, the director, producer and Ganesh spun a web of lies. They harassed me, called in goons who damaged my car and damaged property and intimidated me. These associations don’t do much for a woman in such a situation.

Have you received any support from the industry over the last few days despite not having done a film in eight years (her last film was Apartment in 2010)?
Yes, many people have come forward to speak on such issues. I have opened the door, given people a different perspective. To quote from the Bhagavad Gita, “Karm kiye ja, phal ki chinta mat kar” which is apt for a situation like this when you are literally waging a war for justice. I know what I’m doing is right.

How did your family deal with the situation?
My family was with me when I was attacked in the car in 2008. My dad got me out of the car. Then, the cops arrived and got us out of the studio. Their counter FIR lead to my hairdresser and spotboy being sent to jail and my dad and lawyer had to bail them out. My family went through a tough time. That man (Nana) will pay for what he has done to them. This is not just my battle anymore.

Your sister Ishita is an actress too and is a part of the industry. Aren’t you worried that it will impact her career?
No, I’m not worried. My case was an exception. Yes, people try to get cozy but they understand your body language and back off. But they pass snide remarks on the sets like, "Angoor khatte hai" and fan gossip. This case was different. Nana misbehaved with me. I was pushed around, called names, goons were hired to damage my car. I rehearsed for three days. It was supposed to have three-four days of shoot but then Nana demanded ‘intimate’ moves steps in my song that were not part of the original plan and the harassment began.

MID-DAY (September 28, 2018)

Nana Patekar dismissed accusations of sexual harassment by actor Tanushree Dutta yesterday, stating that he is contemplating taking legal action. A day after the allegation re- emerged a decade after Dutta had first spoken out about it, Patekar told a news channel: “What can I do about what one says? You tell me. What does it mean by sexual harassment? We were on the set, and there were 200 people sitting in front of us. What can I say?”

Asked if he will take any legal action, he said: “I will see what can be legally done. It is also wrong and inappropriate to talk to you [media] since you publish anything... I will continue to do what I have been doing in my life.”

Dutta’s allegation is being considered as one that could kick-start Bollywood’s own # MeToo movement. She hit out at Patekar as she chronicled her unsavoury experience when shooting with him on Horn OK Pleassss.

Meanwhile, Farah Khan found herself in the eye of a storm yesterday, when she took to Instagram to share a picture of the cast — including Patekar — of the upcoming comedy Housefull 4, in Jaisalmer. She was accused of “ supporting a predator”.

#MumToo movement?
Amitabh Bachchan dodged a question about the allegations against Patekar during a press interaction yesterday. “Naa toh mera naam Tanushree hai, naa hee Nana Patekar. Kaise uttar dun aapko iss sawaal ka?” Aamir Khan too stated he shouldn’t comment “ without knowing the veracity of something”.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 28, 2018)

Actress Rimi Sen, who was the lead heroine of Horn ‘OK’ Pleassss, speaks about her experience of working with Nana Patekar. She recalls her time on the set of the film, which has once again run into controversy owing to Tanushree Dutta’s claims that she was sexually harassed by Patekar.

“My experience of working with Nana was all good, except that I felt that he was slightly lonely in his life, which is why he sometimes got a bit frustrated. He was short-tempered, but he is not a sexual offender. Yes, I noticed that he loved the company of women, maybe because he was lonely. But if you are asking me if I faced any physical or indecent advances from him, let me clarify that he always treated me very well, in fact, he treated me like his daughter. Also, we should know his side of story, before jumping to any conclusion. I feel, a lot depends on the women of the industry and their ambition. If you are talking about the #MeToo movement, there are many offenders, including the 90s stars.” The actress cited her own example, saying, “I was not overambitious... that’s why I avoided them. That’s why I couldn’t do much, even though I deserved a lot, but I have no regrets as I made my choices consciously.”

Talking about women being exploited in the industry, Rimi added, “It’s not just actors, there are many directors and producers who tend to take you for a ride, but again, only if you are willing to go ahead. Speaking up about one person will only stop an individual, while everything will go on as it does behind closed doors of this industry. Power jaha pe hai, waha yeh sab chalta rahega, it depends on whether you resist it or you want to go with the flow.”

Speaking about the specific incident that Tanushree has resurrected after a decade, which she had spoken about in 2008 as well, Rimi said, “Tanushree is a good girl and she is honest. She has never craved unnecessary attention by blaming people without any reason. If she has claimed this thing, she maybe right but it depends on exactly what resulted to that incident between Nana and her. With me, he has never done that. During that (song) shoot I was not there, as I wasn’t a part of that song, so I can’t tell what exactly transpired on that day. I can only speak about my experience of him.”

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; September 28, 2018)

Former beauty queen and actress Tanushree Dutta came to India on a holiday, but it turned into a nightmarish stay. Memories of an incident that occurred in 2008, and one that has left her devastated, came back to haunt her. A few days ago, while talking to a channel, she mentioned that India is miles away from its #MeToo campaign because here, no one here supports the victim. She alleged that she was harassed while filming a song for Horn Ok Pleasss by Nana Patekar. She also accused choreographer Ganesh Acharya for introducing lewd dance moves at the actor’s behest.

Slamming Nana Patekar and his supporters, the actress says, “From the moment I landed in India (she has been living in the US for the last two years), I fielded speculations about why I was away from the industry and whether I was kicked out for my unprofessional behaviour 10 years ago. This web of lies has been spun over the last decade. I had to set the record straight, though it has shaken up my parents, who were in the car with me when it was vandalised on the set. The memories have come rolling back to them. I could have quietly come here and left, but I didn’t want this narrative to become a gospel truth. I am now settled in the US and I have a life there. My job prospects get affected because of the results the internet throws up. A web of lies woven by these people has come back to hound me, right when I was at the brink of getting my dream job in Manhattan. Enough is enough!”

When asked why she had been quiet for so long, she says, “It’s not like I am speaking up only today. I spoke about it back then, and I also spoke about it several times in the last ten years. There are footages in media archives that will corroborate my version, but no one believed me then, no one stood up for me then and no one is doing that even today. However, my narrative hasn’t changed at all, because it is the truth. I was harassed by Nana Patekar and the goons who he summoned on the set. They labelled me unprofessional to hide their misdoings. I had to set the record straight. My spiritual leanings helped me heal from this episode.”

She asserts that the #MeToo campaign may never lift its head in India. “People got away by harassing me and by showing medieval behaviour in the public eye in a big city, and none of it made a difference to anyone. I was never a damsel in distress, but agar aisa harassment ho sakta hai kisi ke saath, toh #MeToo kaise hoga? India, as a country and society, has learnt to wear fancy brands, but the soul is still misogynistic and hypocritical. It’s easy to pick up words from the West and hashtag them, but do you have the integrity to speak up when there is a need?”

Ganesh Acharya, while talking to BT, has denied each one of Tanushree’s claims, including the one about Nana asking for lewd dance moves to be included in the song. “Who cares for what they say? There are witnesses to the incident that I am talking about and I don’t need to bluff. It’s too uncomfortable for people to admit there is a problem within the society. If a case of harassment is not being addressed, then what is the hope for any other movement?” she argues.

When asked if she ever tried approaching the Women’s Commission or any other body for help, Tanushree says, “I didn’t approach anyone, because even a basic FIR that I filed didn’t get its due response. Before I could reach the cops, they had filed a counter FIR. Eventually, my entourage members were harassed periodically for many years, before my parents decided to drop the case completely. We were waiting for the law to take its course. My parents have also been in and out of the police station. While my folks were going through all that, Nana and Ganesh continued to work, which was appalling. Do you think that could have helped me sustain in the industry? It doesn’t matter what I did or didn’t do. The fact is that, they harassed me and no one is talking about it, even now.”

Tanushree believes that the incident destroyed her career at a time when she had 40 acting offers, none of which she accepted. “I was brought up by educated people and the mob attack threw me completely off. My perpetrators and even those who stayed mum about it, will pay for their sins eventually,” she says. “The reason I never got back to work is because I feared that if someone attacked me again and I complained, I would be labelled as the one who has a problem.”

Same old story: Film's director points finger at Tanushree Dutta for accusing Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on set
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 27, 2018)

It has taken Bollywood close to a year to wake up to the #MeToo movement. In the past 11 months since actors in the West named and shamed their sexual predators, B-Town stars have applauded their international counterparts for their bravado while diplomatically maintaining a studied silence on the ugly side of the Hindi film industry. In what could well be the first step towards initiating a much needed change in the industry, Tanushree Dutta, on Tuesday, accused co-star Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the set of Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008.

In separate interviews to Zoom TV and News18, she alleged that Patekar insisted on featuring alongside her in a song that was initially supposed to be a solo dance number. Dutta also spoke about how the actor "misbehaved" with her, and would "grab and push me around" on the set. She also called out producer Sami Siddiqui, director Rakesh Sarang and choreographer Ganesh Acharya for their inaction after she voiced her concern, leading to her opting out of the song. Her revelations have not gone down well with the director. Speaking to mid-day, Sarang claimed that his advice to Dutta would be "to move ahead". He felt she is "probably creating a controversy because she may want to make a comeback".

Challenging Dutta's claims, the director said, "Tanushree is saying that Nathni Utaro [the title of the song] was a solo dance that she rehearsed for. In that case, she must have heard the song during the rehearsals itself. Why doesn't she remember that the song had a male voice too? It was always supposed to be a duet song." Siding with the film's male lead, Sarang further said that Dutta "misjudged Nana's encouragement. He was shooting for a song after many years, so he was excited about it. She misjudged everything, including his encouragement. See, if your boss wants to flirt with you, he won't do it in a public area; he will invite you to his cabin. There were around 400 people on the set that day. Will anybody take advantage in front of 400 people?"

Dutta's ordeal didn't end there — she claimed that at Patekar's behest, a political party had vandalised her car after she refused to shoot the song with him. However, the director attributed the episode to a scuffle between her and a reporter. It may be noted that Dutta had spoken out against Patekar in 2008 itself, but to no avail. She had also approached the Cine and Television Artistes Association (CINTAA), demanding compensation for damage to her property and reputation. "The incident was resolved by CINTAA. We conceded to her demands. Now if she is bringing it up, I think Nana can seek legal recourse," said Sarang.

Choreographer refutes Dutta's claims
Tanushree Dutta also accused choreographer Ganesh Acharya, who was allegedly recommended for the song by her, of pandering to Nana Patekar and not paying heed to her discomfort during the song shoot. In a chat with News18, Acharya dismissed Dutta's claims that the song was designed as a solo number.

"When I was called for rehearsal, I was told that Nana ji was also there in the song. I don't have the agreement because we used to do it verbally then. The song didn't involve any kind of indecent step in the first place," he said. Refuting her claims of being sexually harassed, he also asserted that Patekar was a "very sweet person and can never do that."