Bollywood comes out in support of Tanushree Dutta

Bollywood stalwarts speak in the much-needed support of Tanushree Dutta as she shares her experience of harassment by Nana Patekar.

Here’s a question where I need you all to give an honest to God answer – how many of you questioned Tanushree Dutta’s intentions when she came out with her story of experience with Nana Patekar? Men and women alike, wasn’t the first default thought for most of us, was ‘this is a cry for attention’?

Call it patriarchy or apathy towards survivors, its in-grilled in us to question a woman’s intentions, honesty, and even timing. Why, now? Why did she take 10 years to share this? Well, it takes courage, lots and lots of courage to admit it even to yourself, let alone to others!

After much speculation, Janice Sequeira, a former entertainment reporter came out backing Tanushree’s story and sharing how she witnessed it all unfold back then.

Some incidents that take place even a decade ago remain fresh in your memory. What happened with #TanushreeDutta on the sets of “Horn Ok Please” is one such incident - I was there. #NanaPatekar

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

I was a cub reporter in 2008, assigned by AajTak and Headlines Today to cover the BTS of a song being shot for this film. When I arrived, I was told shooting had been stalled because the actress, #TanushreeDutta was "being difficult". #NanaPatekar

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

I could see Tanushree on set, visibly upset about something. #NanaPatekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and a man (who I later found was the producer) were having a conversation, while 50-odd dancers sat waiting. The official version was that the “heroine was not cooperating”.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

A while later, shooting resumed. Tanushree resumed work, and a couple shots later, #NanaPatekar joined her. Not long after that, Tanushree walked off set. Shooting halted again. She locked herself in her vanity van, refusing to come out.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Out of nowhere, goons turned up and began banging against the vanity van door. I was told the producers had called them to set. Cops arrived. 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.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Eventually, Tanushree’s parents arrived to pick her up. Her car was attacked, the windshield broken. I tried to get in touch with Tanushree to get her version of events. Around midnight, she asked me to come to her place. In tears, she narrated what really happened. #NanaPatekar

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Tanushree told me that after three days of rehearsals, Ganesh Acharya changed every step on the day of shoot. #NanaPatekar was never meant to be part of the choreography, but coerced the producers into getting him to shake a leg with Dutta.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Later, she said, a lewd dance step was introduced on the insistence of #NanaPatekar, so he could touch her inappropriately. That’s where alarm bells rang, and Tanushree decided to walk off set. What she didn’t expect was the aggression shown by the producers after.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

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?

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

For anyone who’s either going to be ignoring or downplaying Dutta’s account as a desperate call for attention and question why she didn’t speak out earlier - she did. Interviews by Dutta were followed by a press conference by #NanaPatekar where she was branded “unprofessional”.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

This was a decade ago. It could have possibly been the first instance of a Bollywood actress calling out sexual predators, and her voice was silenced by more powerful men who continued to have flourishing careers. Now she’s found her voice again. Shouldn't we listen? #NanaPatekar

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Things aren’t the same anymore (even though, they aren’t exactly different either). The #MeToo movement has encouraged women to come out and speak about sexual misconduct in the West. If it’s, in turn, inspiring women in India to speak out, we need to find a way to encourage it.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

We all know there are hundreds and thousands of women who are too afraid to speak out against sexual assault and misconduct, lest they be called "unprofessional". They will only speak up if we appreciate - even laud - the courage of #TanushreeDutta, and not look the other way.

— Janice Sequeira (@janiceseq85) September 26, 2018

Nana Patekar too broke his silence and said, "What does she mean by sexual harassment? We were on the set and there were 200 people sitting in front of us.”

Janice urged everyone to listen to the survivor, understand their plight rather than question her intentions and her timing. Following her Twitter threat, a number of Bollywood celebrities openly backed Tanushree Dutta and lauded her courage.

Please read this thread before judging or shaming #TanushreeDutta 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! https://t.co/f8Nj9YWRvE

— Twinkle Khanna (@mrsfunnybones) September 28, 2018

Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq

— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018

This is is 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. https://t.co/fJx2dKt6BN

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) September 26, 2018

This thread is very telling. @janiceseq85 was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not & her story hasn’t changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned. https://t.co/Ola3MNdmtS

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 27, 2018

It hurts to be #TanushreeDutta rn. 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 didn’t back down-takes a special courage to be #TanushreeDutta.

— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) September 27, 2018

As heart-warming as it is to see the stars speak up, it makes one wonder, would it have been the same if these allegations were about a person still very much active and had still had a steel hold over the industry? I chose to believe everyone still would! I hope they do.