Slapped with 2 legal notices from Nana Patekar & Vivek Agnihotri: Tanushree

Dutta has alleged that Patekar had misbehaved with her when the two were shooting a special song for "Horn Ok Pleassss" 10 years ago.

Actor Tanushree Dutta says she was slapped with two legal notices on Thursday - from veteran actor Nana Patekar and filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, respectively.

In a recent TV interview, Dutta alleged Patekar misbehaved with her when the two were shooting a special song for "Horn Ok Pleassss" 10 years ago, a claim she reiterated.

Following the resurgence of the controversy, she also accused Agnihotri of behaving inappropriately with her during the making of 2005 film "Chocolate".

"I have been slapped with two legal notices today. One from Nana Patekar and another from Vivek Agnihotri.

ALSO READ: Nana Patekar an illustrious personality, says Maha minister

"This is the price you pay for speaking out against harassment, humiliation and injustice in India. Both Nana's and Vivek Agnihotri's teams are on a smear campaign against me by constructing outright lies and misinformation on social media platforms and other public platforms," Dutta said in a statement issued by her PR team, Shimmer Entertainment.

The actor, a former Miss India - Universe, claimed the supporters of Patekar and Agnihori are "weaving damning allegations" against her.

She alleged threat to her life, saying while the police personnel deployed at her house were on a lunch break "two unnamed suspicious individuals tried getting into our home uninvited but were stopped just in time".

"Violent threats are being issued against me by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party," she claimed.

On the controversy, which is being touted India's #MeToo moment, the actor said the age-old apathetic treatment of the survivors has kept the movement away from India.

Dutta, who is now based in the US, said she stands to lose this new life too if she allowed herself "to get embroiled in the court system of India".

After the allegations resurfaced against Patekar last week, the veteran actor laughed off her claim, asking what he could do about it.

The 67-year-old actor had said he would see if he could take any legal step.

Dutta has garnered support from many in the film industry which includes names such as Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Hansal Mehta, Richa Chadha and Swara Bhasker, among others.

Business Standard

Hear her out, investigate: Bollywood on Tanushree, Nana Patekar controversy

In a recent TV interview, Tanushree Dutta had claimed that Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of "Horn Ok Pleasss" 10 years ago.

Days after Tanushree Dutta alleged that Nana Patekar harassed her on the sets of a film in 2008, stars like Varun Dhawan and Swara Bhasker among others came out in support of the actor, saying her voice deserved to be heard.

In a recent TV interview, Dutta had claimed that Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of "Horn Ok Pleasss" 10 years ago.

Asked about Bollywood's stand on the issue, Varun said that the emphasis should be on creating a workplace where everyone is respected.

"We have to make our industry safe for women men and children. Everyone should be given equal respect. The issue is being covered everywhere, though I don't know too much about it.

"If someone is speaking about it, you should hear the person out. It takes great courage to talk like that. I applaud that courage," the actor told reporters.

Varun was speaking at the 9th Jagran Film Festival on Sunday.

Joining him for the award ceremony of the festival were directors Anurag Kashyap and Sudhir Mishra, who also insisted on creating a safe environment for women.

Swara said having a safe workplace is everyone's right.

"Sexual harassment at workplace is a huge issue for our society. It receives very less attention and serious conversations. We are mostly unaware about this.

"Good thing is that now these issues are coming out. We should speak about it responsibly. In a collective way, we should make our workplace safe," the "Veerey Di Wedding" star said.

Anurag said introspection is the need of the hour.

"It is important to change, acknowledge and accept our mistakes. It's important that we this goes even for me introspect and look back at our lives and see the wrongs we have done, what our understanding was. It's time we all grew up. It's the fault of the entire system, the conditioning," he said.

Actor Pankaj Kapur said while he cannot say "who's right or wrong", an investigation should be pursued.

"Whatever wrong has happened at any point of time, it must be investigated," he said.

Pooja Bhatt said whenever someone voices their complains, they need to be heard.

"Whenever someone complains about it, you shouldn't count it out. I don't think we should silence those voices... I find it a very frivolous conversation that 'if Bollywood stands with you or not'. Truth doesn't need PR. If you believe it, go out there and speak it.

"Do not expect anyone to hold your hands and support you. Bollywood is a great place, you can expect support for award ceremonies, weddings and funerals... But in the test of life, I walk alone.

Business Standard