Tanushree Dutta harassment: Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Swara tweet in support

Tanushree Dutta’s recent claims of harassment and abuse against veteran actor Nana Patekar and director Vivek Agnihotri, on separate incidents, has opened a can of worms with reference to the industry’s response to #MeToo campaign. While she accused Nana of harassment on the sets of ‘Horn Ok Pleassss’ leading her to walk out of the film, she accused Vivek of asking her to ‘strip and dance’ while shooting for ‘Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets’. 

Nana has meanwhile laughed off all accusations and said he would opt for a legal route instead of addressing this issue in the media, Vivek is still to respond. 

Yesterday at the trailer launch of ‘Thugs of Hindostan’, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan avoided answering questions on the matter but there are some from the fraternity, especially the ladies who have come out in support of Tanushree. 

Tanushree’s claims against Nana came out on a strong foothold when a journalist named Janice shared a thread that gave details of the harassment incident. Actor-producer Farhan Akhtar took to Twitter to share the thread and wrote: “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.”

Retweeting Farhan’s tweet, international star Priyanka Chopra tweeted in agreement and wrote: “Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors”

Soon after, Priyanka’s cousin Parineeti retweeted sister’s tweet and wrote: “I agree too. Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something horrible and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them. @janiceseq85 #TanushreeDutta.”

Producer-actor Twinkle Khanna also retweeted Janice’s Twitter thread and wrote, “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!”

Sonam Kapoor who has time and again identified herself as a feminist and spoken on women's issues also wrote in Tanushree's support: "Many of my co-workers,female and male have been harassed and bullied, but it’s their story to tell. If we don’t encourage their voices and instead vilify and question them, how will victims ever become survivors? Let them speak up! Stand up with them!"

Another actress known for being active on social media, Richa Chadha applauded Tanushree Dutta and tweeted: “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.”

‘Veere Di Wedding’ actor Swara Bhasker posted this video on Twitter with the caption, “#IBelieveYouTanushreeDutta”

Director Hansal Mehta also tweeted in support: “Will this also die a natural death with no formal complaint, no proper investigation and no punitive action against the predator if he is found guilty? Honestly, I am cynical about the outcome. These offenders go scot free because our outrage is short-lived. #TanushreeDutta”