"Death Doesn’t Erase Crimes": Tanushree Dutta Breaks Silence Following Nana Patekar's Demise, AICWA Condemns Remarks

Mumbai — Following the passing of veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar due to cardiac arrest in Goa on Thursday, actor Tanushree Dutta took to Instagram on Friday with strong remarks, stating that her life "turned into hell" after the #MeToo movement and asserting that a person’s death does not wash away their past actions.

Dutta, who spearheaded India's #MeToo movement in 2018 by accusing Patekar of harassment during the 2008 filming of Horn 'Ok' Pleassss, released a video addressing the public reactions and negative messages she received following his demise.

"Life Turned into Hell After #MeToo"

In an emotional video message, Dutta described living under constant fear and surveillance after coming forward with her allegations.

"People don't realize what state I lived in after the #MeToo movement," Dutta stated. "Earlier, I used to work out five days a week and travel the world fearlessly without security worries. But after #MeToo, incidents occurred that I cannot even recount on Instagram—things that would make anyone bow their head in shame."

She alleged persistent stalking and life-threatening incidents, claiming, "In 2024, someone tampered with and cut my car brakes. Goons followed me everywhere after the movement."

"A Person's Death Doesn’t Settle the Score"

Addressing comments urging her to forgive the late actor, Dutta rejected the notion that death absolves someone of alleged misdeeds.

"I cannot understand how people can be so naive. A person’s demise doesn’t mean their life’s offenses are erased," she said. "Does the ledger close for those he harassed and targeted? Even God does not forgive without repentance. You first have to apologize and admit your wrongdoing."

Calling Patekar "the monster who ruined my life," Dutta added: "When I say evil is dead, that is what it meant to me. He continued to cast a shadow over my life even until his demise."

Allegations Against Rakhi Sawant

In her video, Dutta also leveled serious allegations against media personality Rakhi Sawant. Dutta claimed Sawant accepted ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh in cash from Nana Patekar’s Mumbai residence just two days prior to addressing a press conference in his defense during the 2018 controversy. Dutta cited claims purportedly shared by Sawant’s former associate, Rajshree More, who allegedly witnessed the exchange.

AICWA Slams Remarks as "Insensitive"

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemned Dutta’s statements, calling her comments highly insensitive and uncalled for during a period of mourning for Indian cinema. An association representative termed her remarks an attempt to gain cheap publicity while the industry mourns the loss of a veteran artist.

The Background of the Dispute

The controversy dates back to March 2008 at Mumbai’s Filmistan Studio during a song shoot for Horn 'Ok' Pleassss. Dutta alleged that Patekar attempted to inappropriately touch her under the guise of teaching dance steps and had intimate steps inserted into the choreography against her consent. When she walked off the set in protest, her car was attacked outside the studio by alleged political workers.

In September 2018, Dutta revisited the matter in television interviews, sparking India’s viral #MeToo movement and subsequently filing a police complaint against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang, and producer Sami Siddiqui.

Patekar consistently denied all allegations. In 2019, Mumbai Police filed a 'B-Summary' closure report citing lack of evidence, and in 2025, an Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate court dismissed the criminal proceedings against Patekar, citing insufficient evidence and procedural delays.