In 2018, actress Tanushree Dutta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of the 2008 film “Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss.” This sparked a major controversy in Bollywood, with many celebrities and public figures weighing in on the issue.
Dutta alleged that Patekar had behaved inappropriately with her and had even sent goons to threaten her when she refused to perform an intimate dance step with him. She also claimed that the producers of the film had supported Patekar and had not taken any action against him.
Nana Patekar’s Denial and Legal Action
Nana Patekar denied the allegations and filed a defamation suit against Dutta, seeking damages of ₹20 crore. He also filed a counter-complaint against Tanushree Dutta, accusing her of making false statements and tarnishing his reputation.
The Mumbai Police launched an investigation into the matter, but no charges were filed against Patekar due to lack of evidence. The case was closed in 2019, but Dutta continued to pursue the matter in court.
The Controversy Reignites in 2021
In 2021, the controversy reignited when Dutta’s lawyer, Nitin Satpute, alleged that the police had not properly investigated the case and had not recorded the statements of key witnesses.
Satpute also claimed that the police had not seized the CCTV footage from the sets of “Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss” and had not conducted a proper medical examination of Dutta.
The Case Continues
As of 2024, the case is still ongoing, with both parties continuing to fight their respective battles in court. Dutta has accused the police of being biased and has demanded a fresh investigation into the matter.
Patekar, on the other hand, has maintained his innocence and has accused Dutta of making false allegations to gain publicity and attention.
The Impact on Bollywood
The Nana Patekar and Tanushree Dutta controversy has had a significant impact on Bollywood, with many celebrities and public figures speaking out against sexual harassment and misconduct in the industry.
The controversy has also led to a greater awareness of the issue of sexual harassment and has encouraged more women to come forward and share their stories.
Conclusion
The Nana Patekar and Tanushree Dutta controversy is a complex and ongoing issue that has raised important questions about sexual harassment, power dynamics, and the culture of silence in Bollywood.
While the case continues to play out in court, it is clear that the controversy has had a lasting impact on the industry and has helped to bring about a much-needed change in attitudes towards sexual harassment and misconduct.
