Actor Tanushree Dutta has spoken out against the negativity she has faced on social media following the reported death of veteran actor Nana Patekar. Recalling her experiences after accusing Patekar of sexual harassment in 2018, Dutta alleged that she faced threats, harassment and repeated difficulties in her personal life.
In a video shared on Instagram, Dutta said her life changed drastically after the #MeToo movement gained momentum in India. She claimed that people followed her and that she faced incidents that made her fear for her safety. She also alleged that someone tampered with her car's brakes in 2024.
Dutta had accused Patekar of misbehaving with her while they were shooting an item song for the 2008 film Horn Ok Pleassss. Her allegations, which she reiterated in October 2018, became one of the prominent cases associated with India's #MeToo movement. Patekar consistently denied the allegations, and a police case was subsequently closed due to insufficient evidence.
Reacting to the online criticism she has received, Dutta questioned why people expected her to forgive the actor following his reported death. She argued that a person's death should not automatically erase allegations of wrongdoing or the experiences of those who claim to have been victimised.
Dutta also said that some people had asked her to forgive Patekar. However, she maintained that he had never apologised to her or acknowledged the harm she believes she suffered.
Explaining her remarks, she said her reaction reflected her personal experience and the difficulties she claims to have endured since 2018. She further criticised social media users and YouTubers whom she accused of using the controversy to generate views and engagement.
The actor said the public had seen only a fraction of what she claimed to have experienced, adding that the period following the allegations had been extremely difficult for her.
Dutta, known for films such as Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Chocolate and Dhol, had initially indicated that she wanted time to process the news before responding publicly. She later addressed the controversy in a separate video, explaining why she was unwilling to change her feelings simply because of the reported death.
Her latest statements have renewed attention on the #MeToo movement in India and the lasting personal consequences that people who publicly report alleged harassment say they can face. The allegations against Patekar were denied by the actor, and the case was closed because of insufficient evidence.
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