News Desk |
Scores of celebrities have expressed solidarity with Tanushree Datta after she claimed to have been sexually harassed by veteran actor Nana Patekar. Patekar, however, responded to Datta’s statements and denied the allegations.
Notable Bollywood celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Sonam Kapoor, and Hansal Mehta came forward and defended Tanushree Datta.
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
Actor and producer and Farhan Akhtar is a protagonist of women’s rights and had initiated a campaign Men Against Rape and Discrimination or MARD back in 2013. He took to his Twitter account and shared the tweets of one of the witnesses of the Tanushree’s harassment.
“This thread is very telling. Janice (Sequeira, who at that time was with a news channel) was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when Tanushree Dutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago, she did not. And her story has not changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned,” Farhan said.
I believe #TanushreeDatta and @janiceseq85 recollection of the account. Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s upto us to stand together. https://t.co/sF3mS5o1P8
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) September 28, 2018
Priyanka Chopra too stepped in and supported Tanushree. She responded to Farhan’s tweet and said: “Agreed..the world needs to believe survivors.”
Another actress Sonam Kapoor who has recently featured in the movie Veere Di Wedding said “I believe Tanushree Dutta and Janice recollection of the account,” Sonam Kapoor said. “Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s up to us to stand together.”
Read more: Nana Patekar under fire for having ‘history of sexual misconduct’
Richa Chadha wrote that “It hurts to be Tanushree Dutta right now. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants the publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity. What happened to her on set was intimidation. Her only fault was she did not back down — (that) takes a special courage to be Tanushree Dutta.”
Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors https://t.co/ia82UsCkkq
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) September 28, 2018
Twinkle Khanna also reacted to Farhan Akhter’s tweet and said: “Please read this thread before judging or shaming Tanushree Dutta – 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!”