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.” 

Meena Iyer and Harshada Rege (DNA; October 14, 2018)

Over the last week, nothing except Bollywood’s Hall of Shame made headlines. As alleged first-time and serial offenders tumbled out of the woodwork, the industry felt tremors in some cases, plain ashamed and vulnerable in others. After the allegations, there have been denials and statements coming in from those who have been accused. With many of the industry bigwigs taking a firm stand against such behaviour towards women at the workplace, there have been consequences to bear for many. However, colleagues have also stood up for a few. Here’s what has transpired so far:

ACTION TAKEN
Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn posted sensitive tweets on their social media handles making it clear that they will not work with proven offenders. Akshay asked for the shoot of Housefull 4, which was to be directed by Sajid Khan and had Nana Patekar as part of the cast, to be postponed. Aamir stepped away from Mogul. Ajay and Hrithik, too, have made their stand on the matter clear. Here’s what they had to say:

Akshay:
“I’ve just landed back in the country last night and reading all the news has been very disturbing. I’ve requested the producers of Housefull 4 to cancel the shoot until further investigation. This is something that requires stringent action. I will not work with any proven offenders and those who have been subjugated to harassment should be heard and given the justice they deserve. (sic)”

Ajay:
“I’m disturbed by all the happenings with regards to #MeToo. My company and I believe in providing women with utmost respect and safety. If anyone has wronged even a single woman, neither ADF (Ajay Devgn FFilms) nor I will stand for it. (sic)”

Aamir:
“As creative people, we have been committed to foregrounding and finding solutions to social issues and at Aamir Khan Productions, we have always had a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour of any kind. We strongly condemn any act of sexual harassment, and equally we condemn any and all false accusations in such cases

Two weeks ago, when traumatic #MeToo stories began emerging, it was brought to our attention that someone we were about to begin work with has been accused of sexual misconduct. Upon enquiry we found that this particular case is sub judice, and that the legal process is in motion.

We are not an investigative agency, nor are we in any position to pass judgment on anyone — that is for the police and judiciary to do. So, without casting any aspersions on anyone involved in this case, and without coming to any conclusions about these specific allegations, we have decided to step away from this film.

We do not want our action to reflect in any manner on the people involved in this case. We believe that this is an opportunity for the film industry to introspect and take concrete steps towards change. For far too long, women have faced the brunt of sexual exploitation. It has to stop. In this regard, we are committed to doing any and everything to make our film industry a safe and happy one to work in.”

Hrithik Roshan:
“It is impossible for me to work with any person if he/she is guilty of such grave misconduct. I am away and have access to only sporadic information. I have requested the producers of Super 30 to take stock of the apparent facts and take a harsh stand if need be. This is not to be hushed or brushed under the carpet. All proven offenders must be punished and all exploited people must be empowered and given strength to speak up.”

BIG CORPORATIONS ISSUE ULTIMATUM
Film corporations, especially those who have their headquarters overseas have started blacklisting the movies and the makers whose names have appeared on the #MeToo list. They have communicated to all top producers’ that they will pull out their investment with immediate effect, even if one offender is a part of the cast, crew or associated with the film in any other capacity.

OUSTED OR DID THEY STEP DOWN?
Two theories are being floated. While it is being said that Nana Patekar, Sajid Khan and Subhash Kapoor stepped down, others are saying they were reportedly asked to leave. We are guessing, the truth lies between the two versions.

DUTTA’S FAMILY TO STAY MUM
We had already reported that Ishita Dutta, Tanushree’s younger sister has stayed mum on the #MeToo Movement, though her sister has spearheaded it. Now we have learnt that apparently even Ishita’s husband, actor Vatsal Sheth will not be commenting on this either.

SAJID KHAN’S FAMILY RESPONDS
Sajid’s sister Farah Khan took stock of the situation and expressed herself with this tweet: “This is a heartbreaking time for my family. We have to work through some very difficult issues. If my brother has behaved in this manner he has a lot to atone for. I don’t in any way endorse this behaviour and Stand in solidarity with any woman who has been hurt. (sic)” Sajid’s cousin Farhan Akhtar, who has supported this movement right from the beginning, said, “I cannot adequately stress how shocked, disappointed and heartbroken I am to read the stories about Sajid’s behaviour. I don’t know how but he will have to find a way to atone for his alleged actions.”

SAJID’S STATEMENT
The director, through a tweet, said, “In the wake of all the allegations against me & the pressure being put on my family, my producer n the stars of my film Houseful4, i must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post, till the time i can allay the allegations and prove the truth.. I request my friends in the media to kindly not pass judgement till the truth is out (sic).”

LUV REACTS TO ALLEGATIONS
Luv Ranjan has responded to the charges levelled against him with this statement:

This has probably been the longest day of my life. Since the time I have read the allegations, I have been wanting to react to them. I have been wanting to shout out loud that everyone has gone mad, I have been wanting to scream that I am not this man, I have been wanting to clear my name. Friends and Family have shown great support, support that has made me indebted to them for life.

I am very aware of the fact I am the man who made Pyaar Ka Punchnama and it becomes very easy for someone who doesn’t know me personally to believe that I am guilty. Am I guilty? I have been wanting to scream out loud that I am not. I have never misbehaved with a woman, never touched a woman who isn’t in love with me and I with her, I haven’t sexted, flirted, molested or harassed a woman. I haven’t.

After getting rid of my anger towards the whole thing I have come to realise a few things — It doesn’t matter that I believe I haven’t done anything wrong, what matters is that someone has felt wronged.

I have made a lot of effort in life to make women around me feel safe and comfortable which women who have known me or worked with me will vouch for. I have never intended to hurt someone, and taken utmost care to make sure that I don’t and in my heart I know I haven’t. But again what matters is that someone has felt hurt. Can I be so arrogant about myself to ignore that even if unintended, someone has got hurt. I can vouch for my intention but I can’t decide how someone should feel.

It doesn’t matter that I don’t accept the narrative, what matters is that someone feels hurt enough to present this narrative. I am not the man that I am being portrayed as. I am not. I never was, I never will be. Yet I apologise to whoever I have caused hurt, whoever I have not made feel comfortable enough. I apologise for not being able to communicate my intent. I apologise for not being able to make someone feel that I am the man that I have aspired to be and I believe I am.

LUV’S ACTRESS STANDS UP FOR HIM
Pyar Ka Punchnama (PKP) and PKP 2 actress Sonnalli Seygall stood up for the director saying, “It’s after a long time that such a relevant movement has started n it would be really sad n unfortunate if we deviate from our agenda here. The #MeToo movement is to bring forth the people “guilty” of sexual harassment and not to shoot in the dark aimlessly. If we start believing every name thrown in the media today for whatever personal agenda or whatever you wanna call it, we are really digressing from the topic, and even risk trivialising the issue! Let’s also b sensible, sensitivity intelligent human beings and use our common sense to see what’s real and what’s not, otherwise the true criminals WILL get away and nothing will be solved. and let’s pls hold ourselves responsible for what we choose to believe and what not. Luv Ranjan is a man I have now known n worked with for almost 8 years and the allegations against him by this one “anonymous” person is the most absurd thing I have heard about him! I honestly what to say to that... but I can vouch for the fact that he one of the nicest gentleman with a protective guardian like quality who has always made me, and as far as I know all the women on our set including the female actors, ADs and crew, feel very very safe. On the contrary, there have been multiple cases where he has protected us from disgusting men. One such case was when we were shooting in Chandni Chowk in Delhi during PKP 2 and suddenly we couldn’t find Luv sir, only to find out that he went to hit a guy who had tried to brush past n touch one of us girls on the road. There was another time during the shoot of Chak Glassi in PKP where he fought with and threw the media out of the set because some of them were clicking our pictures inappropriately without us knowing. There have been multiple incidents like this which just go on to say that he is infact the man contrary to the baseless allegations made recently. So, I really wanna take this opportunity to stand by #MeToo and safeguard the movement’s true interest. But let’s take some responsibility upon ourselves and not blindly believe everything that we hear. Let’s be intelligent and wise. (sic)”

Actor to renew vows with wife Nin Dusanj today at a resort in Sri Lanka with close friends and family in attendance
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 29, 2017)

Last Thursday, actress and mum-to-be Esha Deol took the pheras— this time just three instead of the traditional seven— as she re-married businessman-husband Bharat Takhtani in a Sindhi-style Godh Bharai ceremony. Now, Mirror has learnt that Aftab Shivdasani is in Sri Lanka to get married for the second time.

He will get hitched with Brit-born Indian model, Nin Dusanj, whom he had tied the knot with at a private ceremony on June 11, 2014. Three years later, the couple will renew their vows in a big, fat wedding at a venue three-and-a-half hour away from Colombo airport. One hears that apart from their families, including veteran actor Kabir Bedi who is married to Nin’s elder sister Parveen, Aftab’s buddies like Vatsal Seth, as also members of the Mumbai Heroes team of the celebrity cricket league that he is a member of, will be a part of his baarat. Actress Mugdha Godse, who is dating Rahul Dev, was uploading pictures from the coastal paradise and salivating over “wood apple with a funky smell” without making any mention of the hush hush occasion.

It was obvious that Aftab’s friends had been sworn to secrecy and persuaded to switch off their cell phones. So, while no one was willing to comment on the subject, Mirror did learn that the venue for the wedding is a resort in the popular wedding destination of Tangalle, a large Sri Lankan town located 195 km south of Colombo. An important fishing port in one of the largest bays in the island country, it is protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef. Celebrations began on Monday, August 28, with a mehendi ceremony that kicked off at 4 pm. The guests were advised to opt for flats and other comfortable footwear since the event was hosted at a restaurant on the beach.

The wedding is scheduled to take place between 3-5.30 pm today. It will be hosted on the private lawns of the resort. The dress code is Indian wear and western formal. At 7 pm, the man and wife, with their besties and baaratis, will move indoors for the reception. The ladies are requested to look “glamorous” and the gentlemen “dapper”.

Nin was working in Hong Kong for six years as a consultant in the luxury brand industry before relocating to India in 2012. She was introduced to Aftab by common friends at an event. They got married a couple of years later in a private ceremony. It was reportedly to be followed by a more grand ceremony later. In an earlier interview to TOI, Aftab had admitted that he was in a relationship with Nin who he had met at the launch of a bookstore. “I think I just knew the moment I saw her that she is the one. Shortly after that, she also knew it,” he was quoted as saying, adding that he would be tying the knot in 2014 and crediting his “lady luck’ with his comeback and his current happy space.

He kept his word and now that he is marrying for the second time, we can only wish them another round of a happily ever after.