Tanushree Dutta, questioned for ‘speaking up after years’, responds to lawyer with a cutting riposte

By Bollywood Reporter

on October 24, 2018

Tanushree Dutta has been making headlines ever since she accused Nana Patekar of behaving inappropriately with her on the sets of their 2008 film Horn OK Please. The 34-year-old actress has been applauded for speaking up but several quarters slammed her as well for renewing the 10-year-old allegation against Patekar. Consider the case of a lawyer, who at the Aaj Tak Mumbai Manthan 2018 in Mumbai on October 23, questioned her decision of discussing the matter at present.

Tanushree was speaking at the event when the person in question asked her, as reported by a leading website: "You worked with Emraan Hashmi, dressed in barely-there clothes. You did a lot of things in the name of work. You did not say anything back then about sexual harassment and #MeToo. Why are you speaking now? Why are you speaking after so many years?"

[caption id="attachment_153470" align="aligncenter" width="647"] File photo of Tanushree Dutta.[/caption]

After this question, Tanushree’s response was effortless - no sign of anger at all as she said, "You have completely missed the point. In 2008, it was a big issue in the media. One has to learn to listen and do homework before you get up and speak. Your voice is important, but don't use your voice to throw your judgment."

10 on 10 to Tanushree for her spectacular response.

Tanushree, winner of the Miss India Universe pageant in 2004, made her debut in Bollywood with Aashiq Banaya Aapne, co-starring Emraan Hashmi and Sonu Sood, in 2005. Her resume includes films such as Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets, Good Boy, Bad Boy and Saas Bahu Aur Sensex. She was last seen in Apartment in 2010.

[caption id="attachment_155554" align="aligncenter" width="647"] Tanushree Dutta in a still from Aashiq Banaya Aapne.[/caption]

It was, in fact, because Tanushree spoke up about her harrowing experience, that the #MeToo movement encompassed India. The movement opened floodgates for a sea of complaints against several other celebrities. Actors and corporates in the movie industry have stepped up efforts to take stern action against offenders.

So far, Alok Nath, Sajid Khan and Vikas Bahl have been named as alleged sexual offenders.