Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 24, 2019)

Ishita Dutta is often asked questions about her actress sister Tanushree Dutta, who took Bollywood by storm by initiating the #MeToo campaign in India, last year. While Ishita doesn’t mind fielding queries about her sister, she also wants the focus to be on her work. The actress is now set to return to daily soap three years after Rishton Ka Saudagar – Baazigar ended. She has been roped in to play the heroine in the second season of Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki.

She says, “I am excited about returning to the daily soap genre after three years. I also feel the pressure because the first season of the show did well. My responsibility is to make sure that people like my character just as they liked the previous characters. I play Palak, who is is a girl of today. She is a go-getter and looks for solutions rather than sulking over problems. She is independent, smart, intelligent and full of life. She is very much like me.”

The actress is balancing two mediums — TV and films. Ask her about the three year break from television and she replies, “I bagged the film, Firangi, after Baazigar wrapped up. I couldn’t commit myself to a TV show due to my films. TV takes up all your time, and you can’t do anything else when you are shooting for a show.”

In between, she was seen with her real husband, actor Vatsal Sheth, in the supernatural show, Kaun Hai. Ishita and Vatsal — her co-actor in Baazigar — tied the knot last year. Talking about her experience of working with him after marriage, she says, “I was very excited about working with Vatsal again in Kaun Hai. I have always shared a great comfort level with him, right from the look test for Baazigar, which is when I first met him. We hit it off instantly and would have a lot of fun during the shoot. We would chat a lot and that’s how we got to know each other. Of course, it was better when I worked with him on Kaun Hai, as he was my husband. We would travel together and the conversation changed. Initially, it was more as friends, and now it was more about khaane mein kya bann raha hai, ghar par kaun aa raha hai and shoot par kaise jaana hai.”

She adds, “It was my first experience with the supernatural genre and it was great fun. I would definitely be interested in taking up a show in the genre. The audience is lapping up such shows.”

Interestingly, both Baazigar and Kaun Hai featured Vatsal in a negative role. Ishita says, “I would love to do a show with him, in which I get to romance him on screen. But I have always liked him in negative roles. I think he does it well.”

The actress says that life has changed post marriage. She says, “I keep telling my mother that after marriage, I appreciate her so much more. I have realised the effort that it takes to run a home. Now that I will start shooting on a daily basis, I need to plan everything in advance. I think it will be require a bit of adjustment, but I am excited about being back to a daily soap. It’s a blessing to have a partner, who understands me so well, and is supportive.”

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 19, 2019)

Tanushree Dutta could not be reached for a comment, but her sister, actress Ishita Dutta, spoke to BT. “I understand that this could land me in a precarious situation, but what’s right is right. My sister is supporting the truth,” Ishita said.

To those uninitiated, Ishita and her husband Vatsal Sheth are close to Ajay Devgn, who attended their wedding last year. In fact, she has even acted with Ajay in Drishyam where she played his adopted daughter. Ask her if Tanushree’s remarks could hamper her equation with Ajay and she replied, “Not at all. My equation with Ajay sir is separate and bears no connection with what my sister feels about the situation. I don’t think he will be upset or angry with me for what she has to say. Vatsal and I have a strong equation with him. Ajay sir isn’t the producer of the film, so he can’t be solely responsible. It has to be a collective decision. I believe that they (the makers of the film) couldn’t have possibly done anything about it.”

Talking about her sister spearheading the #MeToo movement in Bollywood, she says, “My sister is totally justified. If not her, who will speak about it? I would have still supported her even if I wasn’t related to her. She has nothing to gain or lose. She isn’t even a part of the industry anymore. It takes a lot of guts to take a stand like this.”

She adds, “What Tanushree has done is commendable and I feel that the industry, too, should take a strong stand against this issue. Like other associations, we should also have a council to address such matters and complaints. My sister started a movement, which enabled people to step forward and talk about their ugly experiences. Something needs to be done if we want to bring about a change in our society and make this industry a better place.”

The actress, signs off, saying, “Personally, I choose to stay away from controversies. My sister is outspoken and brave, while I am not. However, I will always support the truth. I can't morally go against the truth. I understand that till the verdict is out, one can't account someone guilty. These cases are old, thereby making it even more difficult to gather proof against the accused. The movement started by my sister shouldn't die down. What if, tomorrow, my kids want to join the industry and for that matter, any other profession? We want the world and the industry to become a better place for them and us.” 

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. 

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 17, 2018)

While Tanushree Dutta has been fighting a sexual harassment battle against Nana Patekar, spearheading the #MeToo Movement in India, her sister Ishita Dutta Sheth has strangely maintained a radio silence on the issue. Apart from one interview in which she reminisced the trauma they had gone through, the Drishyam actress hasn’t been forthcoming. After a lot of persuasion, Ishita agreed to speak to us. Excerpts:

While a lot of people have come out in support of Tanushree, you have chosen to stay away from it. Is it a deliberate call?
It’s not deliberate, but I have been with her all these years and seen whatever has happened in her life. It is a sensitive issue. When I saw the videos, again, and watched my father and sister, I relived the pain and trauma. I felt bad that they had to go through that. It angered me, too.

I was in college then, but I remember that day very clearly. It was traumatic for all of us in the family. We, of course, supported her, but it is something that scars you for life. She had spoken about it in 2008 also, and I am just happy that she finally got heard. The problem is that a lot of people ask ridiculous questions, which makes me angry and I don’t know how to react to it. That is one reason I stayed away. Moreover, I don’t need to show my support for her on social media. She is next to me, she is my sister, why should I put out a story on social media? I can tell her directly. Every day at home we are discussing things, what is happening, etc. My parents are there, my dad is doing all the legal paperwork and whatever else is required. Why do people expect us to show support on social media?

Tanushree has become the torchbearer for the #MeTooMovement in India. What do you feel about it?
It takes a lot for one person to stand up and speak and I am really proud of her. My sister kind of gave courage to a lot of other women who are speaking today. Hats off to her and all the women who are opening up (about sexual harassment) because it is not an easy fight. It is not just about talking, but what follows. People say a lot of bad as well as good things about you. For any person to talk about the traumatic incident and read nasty comments on social media is upsetting. I have been reading not just about my sister, but also others, where either they are disregarded or dubbed as untrue. I feel really sad, especially when I read comments implying that they are doing it for publicity. Some women who are on top of their game have come out in the open about sexual harassment, what publicity do they require? It is easy for people to sit behind their laptops and assassinate somebody’s character. Sadly, even women are doing it.

Despite what your sister went through, you entered the industry. Weren’t your parents apprehensive?
No, my parents allowed us to do what we wanted to and I appreciate them so much for it. I came into the industry much after my sister quit. Not once did she demotivate me. It is not just in this industry, it (sexual harassment) is happening in every field. Wherever there are men and women working, this dynamic is there. One can’t sit at home because of that. Fortunately for me, maybe I was extra careful or blessed, but I worked with good people. I have not faced something like this.

What are you shooting for currently?
I am doing this film called Setters, which is about agencies conducting examinations and papers getting leaked. It is about the racket that takes place. I can’t talk much about my role in it now.
After Drishyam, there were a lot of expectations from your next release Firangi with Kapil Sharma.

What went wrong?
I feel a lot of people were confused about the dates. At that time, if you remember there was some issue going on with the censorship of films and movies were not getting censored for some reason. Our film got pushed two-three times. After it was released, people were asking me when is it coming in the theatres! And, a lot was happening then with Kapil Sharma, too and the controversies did affect the movie. I feel bad because people didn’t give it a chance. Having said that, these things happen, it is not in our hands.

What’s next?
I will soon start shooting for Blank with Sunny sir (Deol). It launches Karan Kapadia and I am playing the female lead. We shot for it at the beginning of the year, but then it got delayed because of date issues. However, I got a call yesterday that we will be resuming the shoot in November and the film will release in January.

Recently, you did a mini-series Kaun with Vatsal Sheth...
Yes, the fact that it was a finite series appealed to me. And the fact that I was acting with Vatsal was exciting. We had met each other when we did a show long ago, but we never thought that after marriage we will get an opportunity to share screen space so soon. Also, the supernatural genre was something we hadn’t done before, so it all just fell into place.

Upala KBR (DNA; May 3, 2017)

Ishita Dutta (last seen as Ajay Devgn’s daughter in Drishyam) has been shooting with Kapil Sharma for her second film, Firangi, in Chandigarh, for the last three weeks, ever since the Sunil Grover controversy broke out. She says, “Kapil respects people a lot. As far as the incident on the plane and the controversy is concerned, I don’t know what happened. I have not asked him about it. I have too much respect for him. All I know is that I have shot with him for almost five months and he has always been nice and tried to make everyone comfortable on set. Whenever I have been nervous before any scene he has always been reassuring.”

Ishita adds, “There has been no change in Kapil even after the controversy broke out. He is still as chilled out and funny as he has been since the first day. Kapil is very busy with his other shows and shoot but you will never see him stressing. He is very focused and works on every scene with the director and the actors. I am sure such an incident would affect anybody, but it’s how one handles it and without letting it affect your work. Kapil is very funny and always makes us laugh on set by cracking jokes and just being himself. He is super busy but it’s so nice to see how he is always smiling and completely relaxed. So many people would come to the set to meet him, but as the makers didn’t want to reveal the look of the film, he would change into personal clothes so his fans could click pictures with him, which I think was very sweet.”

The actress adds that she has always been a great fan of The Kapil Sharma Show and never misses an episode. “I was very happy when I was finalised for Firangi and was really excited to work with him. Kapil is a very chilled out producer. We shot in Chandigarh during last winter when it was very cold and now in April during summer. Kapil was very concerned about everyone’s health on set.

Ishita Dutta made a rather unconventional Bollywood debut, playing daughter to Ajay Devgn in Drisyham. And this younger sibling of Tanushree Dutta is already grabbing eyeballs
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (DNA; August 28, 2015)