#MeToo – perhaps the most widely used hashtag in the history of social media, between October and December 2017. The phrase is also a testimony to the sick reality of the world we live in, which by the way is in total shambles. Because like it or not, there is no #MeToo without an #IDidItToo. But timing’s a bitch. Celebrities who were long perceived to be 'safe' under the shadow of stardom broke decades-long silence to name and shame their abuser. Sexual harassment abuser. The monster they perhaps still dream of, at least on a subconscious level, and also the one who took away their ability to place their trust in those around them. Blame it on the veil of secrecy, strongly guarded by the dogs of power and penny.
The entertainment industry – be it Hollywood or Bollywood – is undergoing a moment of reckoning in the wake of reports of sexual harassment pouring in from all quarters. 2017 marked the crumble and bumble of Hollywood resulting in the fall of mogul Harvey Weinstein, House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey joined by several prominent names including Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, Woody Allen, James Toback, Dustin Hoffman, Brett Ratner amongst others. The ball for India’s #MeToo movement could have started rolling a decade ago, but the industry chose to then ignore Tanushree Dutta’s first call for mayday as she alleged harassment at the hands of veteran actor Nana Patekar.
Defining a watershed moment in the history of Indian film industry, Dutta held the scarring incident involving Patekar responsible for her exit from Bollywood. The former Miss India, in an interview with a leading entertainment portal, recounted that the senior star tried to trespass her turf on the sets of 2009 film Horn Ok Pleassss while shooting a song sequence, which she initially was to do solo. However, in an attempt to get intimate with Tanushree, Nana asked choreographer Ganesh Acharya to make the required changes in the dance act. And instead of reprimanding Patekar for his downright dirty demands, Acharya, the director and even the producer nodded their heads in agreement without blinking as much as an eyelash. It is mention worthy that two eyewitnesses have validated the actress’ side of the story ever since she went public. But the question remains, is anyone listening or at least trying to believe Tanushree?
The incident has been enjoying quite a moment with several sections of the press, but I doubt if the point is even getting as close to the eardrums. Case in point: Bollywood’s deafening silence on this horrendous episode. Amitabh Bachchan in Pink established the argument that ‘no means no.’ Whether it is a woman, wife, daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend or even a sex worker – no doesn’t require any backing up because it is a statement, Big B’s speech said in the film. But his response to Dutta’s incident was a stoic and shocking silence. "Na toh mera naam Tanushree hai aur na hi Nana. Main kaise iska jawab doon?" Quiet looms at large as superstars including Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan took the diplomatic route and remained mum. Albeit, younger actors like Farhan Akhtar, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker, Richa Chadha have voiced their support and applauded the starlet for her bold narrative. But, that’s just about it.
The crème de la crème of the business chose silence while keyboard warriors are busy digging the scum on the earth. Without directing an interrogation in Patekar’s direction, people are questioning Dutta’s intentions as if hell bent on sniffing out publicity stunt. The omnipresent and ever-mortal masculinity emerged with its ugly face once again thereby shifting the debate from putting the accused on stand to throwing criticism at the victim for a lack of timing. Alarming and appalling! Instead of focusing on the disturbing treatment the entertainment industry gives its women, blame game is the most played game here.
Is this the same #MeToo movement that led to powerhouse performer Kevin Spacey being sacked as the lead actor of House of Cards? Is it the same #MeToo movement that launched a full-fledged campaign to fight the long-time problem of sexual harassment? Because Bollywood at the moment doesn’t just lack a spine but also perhaps a larynx. The same prolific industry that went guns blazing when the incidents in question were off their shore but changed its discourse for matters at home. Hypocrisy at its best, yeah?
Tanushree Dutta’s account to me is a heroic tale of correctness over career. Why now you ask? SHE TRIED. She did make an attempt to raise an alarm then, but as fear grappled, the actress decided to preserve her self-respect over stardom. Nobody paid heed in 2008. But we now have a chance. It’s time we redefine the roles. Because respect is a right and a rule.
So, can we give Dutta the support and apology due for a decade? Or do we still not open our eyes and minds to reality? The choice is in your hands. For this is not just about Tanushree Dutta anymore. It is about how we function as a society and what we choose for our generations to come. There is nothing you can imagine about what a woman goes through after she has been sexually harassment– regardless of whether she talks about it minutes after or decades later, nothing changes. The trauma remains, lifelong.
Pick a side.
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