Nana Patekar, the veteran Bollywood actor, has once again addressed the serious #MeToo allegations leveled against him by actress Tanushree Dutta. As the allegations resurface in the public sphere, Patekar has provided a fresh statement to reiterate his stance that the accusations were “all a lie” from the very beginning.
In a candid interview with The Lallantop, Patekar spoke openly about the allegations, explaining his calm demeanor during the uproar in 2018. “I knew that it was all a lie. That’s why I didn’t get angry. When everything was a lie, why should I be angry?” the actor stated. He emphasized that these incidents were archaic and did not merit prolonged discussion. “They have happened. What can we talk about them? Everyone knew the truth. What could I say at that time when nothing like this happened? Suddenly, someone says that you did this, you did that. What would I have answered to all these things? Should I have said that I didn’t do this? I know the truth that I didn’t do anything.”
The allegations against Nana Patekar were some of the most high-profile cases during the #MeToo movement in Bollywood. Tanushree Dutta, who had taken a hiatus from the film industry, made national headlines when she accused Patekar of sexual misconduct on the sets of the film “Horn OK Pleasss” in 2008. According to Dutta, Patekar allegedly tried to sexually abuse her and frequently appeared on set without any professional obligations.
In a 2022 interview with HT, Dutta elaborated on the backlash she faced upon making these allegations. She expressed the challenges in trying to revive her career amidst the controversy. “A lot of stuff has happened since I came back to India. I am trying to resurrect my career, and people are interested in working with me, despite the image that these Bollywood mafias have portrayed as being difficult..
.. I am getting offers for films as well as web projects, in fact, signed some also, but have noticed none of them materialize. All of a sudden, the producers or directors go incognito, or sponsors drop,” she said, highlighting the professional roadblocks she encountered post-allegations.
Nana Patekar, who maintained his innocence throughout, stayed mostly out of the public eye during this period, choosing to let the legal process take its course. It was only recently that he addressed the issue in a more public domain, providing a clear narrative of his side of the story.
The resurgence of the controversy comes at a time when Patekar is making headlines for a completely different incident. A video went viral showing the actor slapping a fan who had approached him for a selfie while he was on a set. This unforeseen incident added fuel to the ongoing discussions around his public persona. Patekar later issued an apology, explaining that the slap was intended for a scene in his upcoming film and that he mistook the fan for a crew member. He expressed regret over the misunderstanding, acknowledging the fan’s disappointment.
The #MeToo movement in Bollywood brought several acclaimed and powerful figures under scrutiny, pushing the industry to grapple with issues of workplace harassment and misogyny. Patekar’s case was one of the prominent narratives that added considerable momentum to the movement in India.
As the conversation around these issues continues, Patekar’s renewed statement has reopened debates about the veracity of such allegations and how they are handled both in the media and within the judicial system. The actor remains steadfast in his defense, maintaining that he did not engage in any form of misconduct as accused by Dutta.
Tanushree Dutta, meanwhile, has continued to advocate for women’s rights and truth-telling within the industry, despite the setbacks she claims to have faced in her professional life. Her journey since the allegations has been marked by a mix of support and criticism from various quarters, reflecting the complex dynamics of the #MeToo movement’s impact in Bollywood and beyond.
As this story evolves, it underscores the continuing need for nuanced dialogue and systemic change to address sexual harassment and ensure safe work environments for all industry professionals. The different narratives presented by Patekar and Dutta will likely continue to generate conversation, as each side seeks to uphold its version of events within the broader societal discourse on gender, power, and justice.
