Mumbai: Several Bollywood personalities have come out in support of actress Tanushree Dutta who has recently accused veteran actor Nana Patekar for alleged abuse and sexual harassment .Raveena Tandon, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhasker, Richa Chadha, Sonam K Ahuja, Siddharth have come out to support Tanushree.
Raveena took to social media account Twitter and said,''When our industry fails to stand for and protect its own.They get their chance and lose it.Makes our films on women empowerment hollow.The deafening silence on #TanushreeDutta case is sickening. remember the controversy breaking out.Sadly no witnesses or proof.So one couldn't say.But obviously for her this has been a life changing incident.''
''I have worked with Nana too,(Mustafa) had heard about his volatile temper,but never witnessed. In fact he was courteous and helpful. Today there is social media, a lot more information given, 10 years ago mostly people would rely on the gossipy magazines which carried scandalous headlines to sell. One didn't know the difference between reality and yellow journalism.
High time we took a stand, stand by the obvious bring the correction that needs to be done. Stand by our own. It's time witnesses came forward and stood by her,unafraid of the consequences,and let the law take its own course.We should not judge and media lynch.lets put our faith in the judiciary and let justice unfold.Innocent till proven guilty,'' Raveena said.
Tamil, Telugu and Hindi film actor Siddharth said,''Reporting abuse is traumatic. To be analyzed in public for it is torture. To have some bastard suggest the woman is doing it for attention is inhuman. You always give the victim benefit of the doubt. Enough with shaming! Innocent men will overcome any accusation! #TanushreeDutta''.
''If a women speaks out about abuse, you listen. Even if it's on her deathbed 50 years after the incident,you listen. If you ask why she didn't speak earlier or you rush to dismiss her, the problem is with you. There will be investigation; but first, listen. Period. #TanushreeDutta,'' Siddharth added.
Twinkle Khanna said,''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!''
Vir Das said,''For men, a big part of the #MeToo movement is listening to women tell their story. Supporting them with belief. #TanushreeDutta is telling hers. Be a good man, shut your mouth, and listen to it. There are many many more like it in our industry. And they deserve to be heard.''
Farhan Akhtar also came out in support of the actress.Taking to twitter, Farhan said,''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.''
Expressing support, actress Richa Chadha said,''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.''
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said,''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''.
Actress Sonam Kapoor tweeted, "I believe #TanushreeDatta... It's upto us to stand together."
Priyanka Chopra said,''Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors''.Parineeti Chopra said,''I agree too. Survivors are survivors because they have dealt with something and come out on the other side. So believe them, respect them. @janiceseq85 #TanushreeDutta''.
Swara Bhaskar said,''#IBelieveYouTanushreeDutta''.Director Anurag Kashyap said,''This should stop the questioning of intention of Tanushree Datta because there is a witness account of what happened and @janiceseq85 is as credible as the come.''
Huma Qureshi said,''We need to start believing and supporting women coming out and sharing their stories .. not shaming them #BelieveTheSurvivors''.While these actors have come out in support, megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan chose to be very diplomatic about the case.
During the trailer launch of 'Thugs Of Hindostan', Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were asked about Tanushree Dutta's allegation against veteran actor Nana Patekar.
''My name is neither Tanushree nor Nana Patekar, how can I answer your question,'' Mr Bachchan said.
''Without knowing the veracity of something, it's not right for me to comment on it. But whenever something like this does happen, it's a sad thing. Whether this has happened, that is for people to investigate,'' Aamir said.
The alleged incident took place on the sets of 'Horn Ok Pleasss'. Earlier, Journalist Janice Sequeira confirmed the allegations made by Tanushree Dutta but said that the official version was "heroine being difficult and uncooperative."''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 said.(UNI)