Entire industry is an accomplice through silence: Tanushree Dutta on harassment
New Delhi, Sep 26: The ball for India's #MeToo movement could have started rolling a decade ago, had the industry not remained silent when she had first levelled harassment accusations against veteran actor Nana Patekar, says actress and former beauty queen Tanushree Dutta.
The incident had happened on the sets of "Horn 'Ok' Pleassss" in 2008, and was brought out in the media as well, but not much happened.
Tanushree, in an interview to IANS, recounted Nana's "misbehaviour" on the set.
"He called the MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) party to bash up my car. He was behind everything and was supported by Ganesh Acharya, the producer and director."
A recent interview in which Tanushree has stated that the #MeToo movement will never arrive in India because of the industry's hypocrisy, has refreshed discussion about her unsavoury experience and allegations.
"I have always been hoping for an apology from all of them. It was not just Nana Patekar, but (choreographer) Ganesh Acharya who was an accomplice in that, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Sami Siddiqui. And the entire industry that has been an accomplice through silence," Tanushree told IANS in an interview over phone from Mumbai on Wednesday.
IANS tried reaching Nana for a comment. But there was no response.
In 2008, at a press conference to address the "indecent behaviour" allegation by Tanushree, Nana had said he was highly surprised at the charges by the actress, who he said was "my daughter's age".
"I have no clues about what made her say such things about me. I have been a part of this film industry since the last 35 years and haven't had anyone saying such things about me ever," Nana had said back then.
The former Miss India Universe feels let down that the entire industry has continued to work with those whom she named.
"Ganesh Acharya rolls out songs every year with top stars, Nana has worked with stars like Akshay Kumar and Rajinikanth and the producer and director have continued to work. They were not the ones who went through the trauma of being mobbed by goons, or being called names," she added.
"I had to deal with that over the years while these people were happily enjoying the limelight," added the actress, who featured in films like "Aashiq Banaya Aapne", "Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets", "Speed" and "Dhol", and has not had a flourishing career in Bollywood.
Tanushree claims she was "slut shamed", and was called a "heroine who came and did a few item songs and bold kissing scenes".
She has been wanting to change the narrative, fighting against the tide.
"I was a talented actor and I did the work that came my way... And if that's the narrative that is spinning, then I am going to change it. I was hurt and wounded, and I had to heal," she said.
"Change cannot happen when we put the onus of change on others. Change can only happen when we are actively involved bringing about the change and that is what I have been doing and not because I wanted to be smarter and somebody who starts movements. It is just that I went through an ordeal and when I was approached for my take on it, I spoke the truth -- 10 years back and even today."
She says she had the courage to speak out about it a decade ago when it had just happened.
"I faced a lot of criticism, slut shaming and dense attitude... It was like people were hearing me, but were not listening.
"The harassment and slut shaming continued for me... For 10 years I have been shamed and the narrative has been spun like 'Oh there is a respectable actor and there is this slutty heroine who put these allegations on him and because she did this horrendous thing she was kicked out of the industry'. People have been arrogantly carrying forward this narrative," she said.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Punjab Kings by four wickets in IPL
Hyderabad, May 19: Sunrisers Hyderabad crushed Punjab Kings by four wickets to end the league phase of the Indian Premier League with 17 points here on Sunday.
Chasing 215, SRH overhauled the target with five balls to spare after opener Abhishek Sharma hammered a 28-ball 66 (6x6s, 5x4s).
SRH were also bolstered by contributions from Rahul Tripathi (33), Nitish Reddy (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (42) along the way.
Earlier in the contest, Punjab Kings were helped by Prabhsimran Singh's quick fire 71 as well as useful contributions from opener Atharva Taide (46) and Rilee Rossouw (49) to post 214/5 on board.
Prabhsimran and Taide added 97 runs from just 55 balls. While Taide scored 46 from 27 balls with five fours and two sixes, Prabhsimran hit seven sixes and four fours for his 45-ball 71.
Rossouw signed off with a 24-ball 49 with four sixes and three fours while stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma produced late fireworks to make 32 not out.
Brief scores:
Punjab Kings 214/5 in 20 overs (Atharva Taide 46, Prabhsimran Singh 71, Rilee Rossouw 49; T Natarajan 2/33).
Hyderabad 215/6 in 19.1 overs (Abhishek Sharma 66, Rahul Tripathi 33, Nitish Reddy 37, Heinrich Klaasen 42; Arshdeep Singh 2/37) by 4 wickets.
