TV Fraternity Lauds Tanushree Dutta's Grit; Hail It As The Beginning Of A REVOLUTION!

It has been 10 years since the incident took place. In question is One of the most revered actors of the Indian film industry Nana Patekar. It was during filming a dance number that Tanushree Dutta became uncomfortable with Nana’s moves. She felt it was good to walk out of the song which she did. However, this had it’s own murky repercussions. The actress was attacked by MNS goons, her career suffered, she had to leave the nation. Now after all these years she is back to the country as if with a vengeance and she has voiced out her ordeals yet again and blamed Nana Patekar and the director of the film Vivek Agnihotri of sexually harassing her. However, this time the scenario was completely different. Thanks to the digital media platforms. The news websites and news channels alike all started carrying her stories and interviews. It almost became like the burgeoning of the #Metoo movement in India.

Here is what TV actors have to say about this - 

Rishina Kandhari: By god’s grace and by my conduct, I have never faced such problems at work. However, it’s not new to hear about women facing such problems in all works of society. It is not just a case with women in the entertainment industry; it’s there in every field. Recently, I heard about a group of male cops molesting their female colleague inside the police station. I was shocked to the core. One has to be very lucky to be safe from these unfortunate events. I remember when I was a teenager, I was shopping with my mother at Colaba Causeway. A man tried to touch me inappropriately and even before his hand could touch me, I grabbed his hand and twisted it with force, all thanks to my instincts and martial art training. He yelled very loudly which attracted other peoples' attention and then he was nabbed and later taken by the local cops. What Ms Dutta is doing now, she should have done it a long time ago, but I understand that it takes a lot of courage and willpower to fathom what has happened. I am glad that if not all, at least some big names are supporting her. May justice prevail.

Shadman Khan – It is great that she has again come to the forefront to talk about the matter. She had done it ten years ago as well but then, the conventional media outlets didnt’ really have much to do with it. Just a couple of news stories and that’s it. However, it did wreak havoc in her personal life. Her career suffered. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration o state that Tanu was in her prime in those days and because of this controversy she had to leave the industry and settle in the US. It seems as though she is back with a vengeance. With the proliferation of the social media platforms, her voice is now being heard and reactions are poring in from all nooks and corners. This surely is the start of a #Metoo movement in our country. And speaking of #Metoo, when it boils down to sexual intimidation or sexual assault or brutalisation, rapes, bullying, strong-arming so on and so forth – It is BEYOND GENDER! A woman can do it with a woman, a man can do it with a man or a woman can do it with a man! And these things have always been prevalent. Unfortunately, neither the newspapers and nor the television (our conventional media forms) didn’t pay much attention to this issue. Thanks to the social media, we should say!

Jasmin Bhasin: I feel bad that the women have to suffer all this. I also think that we should react immediately rather than taking years and coming back to react on it. If you have a disease then you need to cure it immediately not leave it for years and years. We all, at a certain point, go through this but it's totally in our hands, we should know how to fight for this. My way of approaching it would be very different. I would rather react immediately and make the person realise his grave actions. I think if a woman is strong enough and knows how to work on her own conditions, she should not tolerate such filth.

Akashdeep: Fortunately, I’ve never been through any such thing. I’ve been on every TV channel advocating that this was not handled well. I will not pass judgement on Nana or Tanushree but yes, it must be probed and put an end to. A media trial will not help. Her courage to come out is commendable. The sad part is that she has no career so to speak so has nothing to lose whilst others who may have been victims are perhaps afraid to speak up worrying that the big guns will ensure it’s the end of their careers in Bollywood. It’s a malaise in our society. Bollywood issues get prime time but this is happening everywhere Every time. She needs all our support. But we know Bollywood never gets together as an industry in times like these. I think Bollywood has lost its second and last chance in the 'Me Too' movement to come out clean.

Shivin Narang: Honestly, I don't know the entire scenario or what exactly happened so I guess if there is any concern, the law will take care. And we can't take sides or just believe or judge someone. Definitely, it takes a lot of courage and strength to come out and speak. But be it a man or a woman, I feel we should be completely unbiased.

Saurabh Pandey: I saw a news story a few years ago when she (Tanushree) left for America and if this news of sexual harassment is true then it's very upsetting. It's very sad to see such things happening in Mumbai, where many educated people live. It's very shameful. If such things are happening then appropriate actions should be taken. I think she should get justice if she has gone through all this.

Reyaansh Vir Chadha: It takes a lot of courage to come up and talk about it. I have personally never experienced it. As far as this case is concerned, I can say anything, once the law has taken its course. It's a very serious allegation, therefore we need to have patience to hear the other side of the story. Just because a girl has accused someone, it doesn’t necessarily have to be right. I have seen women taking advantages of such laws as well. Nana is a very senior actor, we should wait for the court to pass the judgement and then actually talk about her courage.