India's #MeToo moment: Bollywood finally speaks up for Tanushree Dutta
Mumbai, Sep 28: Bollywood celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar and Hansal Mehta among many others have come out in support of actress Tanushree Dutta, who has spoken up about her sexual harassment at the hands of veteran actor Nana Patekar on a film set a decade ago.
Tanushree, a former beauty queen, who had first raised the allegation against the actor in 2008, brought the spotlight once again on her unpleasant experience of working with Nana during the shooting of "Horn 'Ok' Pleassss", in a recent interview.
While speaking to IANS, Tanushree said it was because of Nana's powerful position as a National Award winning actor that her voice had remained suppressed for so long.
Here's what the celebrities have tweeted:
Priyanka Chopra: Agreed..the world needs to believe survivors.
Farhan Akhtar, who has launched a social campaign Men Against Rape and Discrimination or MARD in 2013, re-tweeted a string of posts by an eyewitness about the details of Tanushree's ordeal.
"This thread is very telling. Janice (Sequeira, who at that time was with a news channel) was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when Tanushree Dutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago, she did not. And her story has not changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned," Farhan said.
Actress Richa Chadha wrote that "It hurts to be Tanushree Dutta right now. To be alone, questioned.
"No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity. What happened to her on set was intimidation. Her only fault was she did not back down -- (that) takes a special courage to be Tanushree Dutta."
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta tweeted: "India in general does not have a conducive work environment. Mental harassment, abuse and predatorial behaviour by people in positions of power are prevalent and considered perks of being in power. Years of oppression and colonial rule have permanently altered our DNA."
Actress Swara Bhasker re-tweeted a series of posts and wrote: "This is a long thread, but one that must be read.... lots of clues here as to why Bollywood's #MeToo moment is so far away. Because we don't want to hear these voices."
Producer, author and wife of actor Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna tweeted: "Please read this thread before judging or shaming Tanushree Dutta -- a working environment without harassment and intimidation is a fundamental right and by speaking up this brave woman helps pave the way towards that very goal for all of us!"
Sequeira on Wednesday tweeted a thread recalling the unsavoury episode saying "some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with Tanushree is one such incident.
She said she had seen how the actress was visibly upset about something on the sets while Nana, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and the producer huddled around.
She said: "Amidst this chaos, I got hold of #NanaPatekar. All he said was, "Meri beti jaisi hai", which didn't really make any sense at that point." It was only later that she realised.
Sequeira said: "The chat I had with Dutta hours after the incident was identical to the account she's come out with now. How could a person's version remain the same a decade later if there wasn't any truth to it?(Our chat was off-the-record, even though she went on to give interviews later.)
Nana on Thursday said to a news channel: "What can I do about what one says? You tell me. What does it mean by sexual harassment."
In a shock to many of his fans and supporters, megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday dodged commenting on the episode saying: "Neither am I Tanushree, nor am I Nana," which invited trolls galore.
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UK PM Keir Starmer takes ‘China matters’ message on first Beijing visit
London (PTI): “Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.
Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK’s “clear-eyed and realistic” approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while “maintaining guardrails” when it comes to the country’s national security.
The Labour Party government is keen to highlight its re-engagement with China with this first visit in eight years, coming close on the heels of a ministerial go-ahead for its controversial new “mega embassy” in London.
“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” Starmer said in a pre-visit statement.
“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.
“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad,” he said.
The UK PM is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.
Accompanied by a delegation of leading UK-based businesses, including Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover, sporting institutions, museums and theatre groups, Starmer is expected to push for access in areas such as the financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences.
“However, he will be clear that we will not trade economic cooperation for our national security. He will raise the areas where we disagree with China – being clear that we will always defend our national security and where viewpoints differ, frank and open dialogue is of vital importance,” Downing Street said.
Describing China as the world’s second largest economy, a crucial player in global supply chains and a growing military power, the UK said it is important to engage with its third-largest trading partner which supports 3,70,000 British jobs.
“We want to see trade flourish between us. From financial services to advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition, the UK’s strengths increasingly align with the rapidly evolving Chinese economy,” said Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary travelling with Starmer.
“The first duty of government is security, and we protect ourselves best through active engagement and pragmatic cooperation, not by shutting the door,” he said.
The visit follows the 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) that the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) claimed secured 600 million pounds in immediate benefits and the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018.
“The UK’s world-leading financial services sector is a cornerstone of our economy. With deep and liquid markets, and the FTSE hitting all-time highs, there are real opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with China which supports jobs for working people and growth for businesses across Britain,” said Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, also part of the ministerial delegation.
The Opposition Conservatives have criticised Starmer’s approach to China, amid human rights concerns and espionage fears. “Starmer has already surrendered to the Chinese Communist Party over their plan for a spy-hub super embassy in the heart of our capital,” said shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel.
“The evidence is overwhelming that China poses a serious threat to our national security and it is clear Starmer is going to China without any leverage. He lacks the backbone to stand up for Britain and is bending over backwards to appease Beijing,” she said.
Following his trip to China, Starmer is set to travel to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reinforce the UK-Japan partnership, said to be worth over 100 billion pounds and supporting 2,00,000 UK jobs.
