Puja Talwar
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The support for Tanushree Dutta is finally gaining momentum, as many voices in the film fraternity have come out in support of the actress who alleged harassment and publicly named Nana Patekar as her harasser. However, a new twist in the case has suddenly popped up as her complaint to CINTAA (Cine and TV Artists Association) was wrongly evaluated, a decade ago. Tanushree had exited the film ‘Horn “OK “Pleasss’ after citing inappropriate behavior by Nana Patekar and had brought the matter to CINTAA. But the actress’s chief grievance was not dealt with.
#CINTAA Official statement regarding #TanushreeDutta and #NanaPatekar @sushant_says @DJariwalla @deepakqazir @amitbehl1 @SuneelSinha @ayubnasirkhan @sanjaymbhatia @NupurAlankar @rakufired @rammakantdaayam @RajRomit pic.twitter.com/ZUD5XjJn8a
— CINTAA_Official (@CintaaOfficial) October 2, 2018
A statement from CINTAA reads, “After going through Ms Tanushree Dutta’s complaint, which was filed with the then Executive Committee of CINTAA in March 2008, we feel that the decision taken in the Joint Dispute Settlement Committee of CINTAA and IFTPC (then known as AMPTPP) in July 2008 was not appropriate, as the chief grievance of sexual harassment wasn’t even addressed,” read an excerpt of the statement issued by CINTAA. The association, however, “strongly condemns any act that outrages the modesty of any individual and any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable to us.”
The statement adds that though Ms Dutta’s complaint was handled by a separate committee, the current authorities at the organisation strongly condemns the alleged happenings. However, CINTAA cannot reopen the investigation on the case again in adherence to its guidelines: “Highly regrettable and no apologies can suffice, hence we must resolve today to never allow such lapses to occur again.”
Tanushree, who was away in the United States, recently opened up about the decade old controversy. Her account has been corroborated by journalist Janice Sequeira. Soon after, celebrities like Richa Chaddha, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhaskar ,Renuka Sahane and Twinkle Khanna extended their support. Even as Nana Patekar’s lawyer has demanded an apology from Tanushree, the support extended to the actress has been remarkable.
Exploitation and harassment are often brushed under the red carpet in Bollywood, but with the industry rallying in support, we could have just heard the first murmurs of a ME TOO campaign in tinsel town.
