Five years after becoming the face of the #MeToo movement in India, actress Tanushree Dutta continues to advocate for change in the film industry. In a recent interview with News18, Dutta revealed she was offered a project by a director accused of sexual misconduct, who sought to collaborate with her in an attempt to rehabilitate his image.
Dutta, who made headlines for her allegations against actor Nana Patekar in 2008, expressed her commitment to maintaining her principles, stating she declined the offer to avoid setting a negative precedent. “What’s needed is for every single actor to be willing to make a little sacrifice for a cause,” she asserted.
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Reflecting on the challenges she faces, Dutta recounted a significant opportunity she turned down in December 2018. “I was offered a movie by a very big producer, known for some of the industry’s biggest hits. However, the director was a #MeToo accused, and I promptly refused,” she shared. “Who’s losing in this bargain? Me. I haven’t done film work in a long, long time,” she lamented.
The actress revealed that last year, she was approached again by a film director from Kolkata, only to reject the proposal for similar reasons. She believes the director aimed to cast her to soften public perception after facing allegations of sexual misconduct. “Why did he come to me? He thought that enough time has passed since #MeToo, and that casting me would give the impression that I’m siding with him. He wanted to change his image through me,” Dutta explained. “If I took that film, it would look like the leader of #MeToo is now supporting an accused. I politely refused.”
Dutta emphasised the ethical dilemma she faced, even consulting her father for guidance. “He told me it wouldn’t be ethically right to work with someone accused of such serious allegations,” she noted. Despite the sacrifices she has made, including turning down work when she needed it most, Dutta hopes others will also demonstrate similar integrity in standing against misconduct.
Her original allegations against Nana Patekar sparked widespread discussion in the industry, where she faced significant backlash. Patekar denied the claims, but Dutta’s courage to speak out was pivotal in the resurgence of the #MeToo movement in India. As she continues her advocacy, she remains resolute in her mission to bring about meaningful change within the film industry.