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.

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.