Tanushree-Nana row: Rakhi calls her a liar

Even as some big names in Bollywood continue to come forward in support of Tanushree Dutta, who has accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of the 2009 film Horn Ok Pleassss, Rakhi Sawant, who replaced Tanushree in the film tells us in an exclusive interview that she believes Tanushree is lying about the whole thing. Nana has reportedly sent a legal notice to Tanushree. "We are in the process of sending a legal notice to Tanushree Dutta as she has made false allegations and has spoken untruth," his lawyer told the ANI news agency.
Tanushree has alleged that she was harassed by Patekar while shooting for a special dance number in Horn Ok Pleassss. She also accused choreographer Ganesh Acharya of teaming up against her. And though the actress has been backed by many famous faces in Bollywood, she has responded to support from certain quarters with caution - she pointed out that despite receiving support from Twinkle Khanna, her husband Akshay Kumar is still working with Nana Patekar in Housefull 4 and Priyanka Chopra's supportive tweet about Tanushree has been received by the actress with cynicism. "I won't be reduced to a survivor," she told Zoom, referencing the word used by Priyanka in her tweet. Choreographer Farah Khan was at the receiving end of Tanushree's ire when the former posted a picture on Instagram of the Housefull 4 team including Nana, hours after Tanushree made her accusation.
Meanwhile, Rakhi responded to the controversy in her trademark no mincing words style. She tells City Times what happened the day she was asked to replace Tanushree. "I was sitting in my house relaxing and I got a call from choreographer Ganesh Acharya requesting me to reach the movie set immediately to shoot for a song. He asked me to come right away. I was shocked. Eventually, Nana Patekar came to the phone and said that 'come and shoot for this song today and if you don't come in then the producer will commit suicide as the producer has invested a lot of money'. I wasn't able to grasp what they were saying. Then they explained that Tanushree Dutta had locked herself in her van for over 4-5 hours and was refusing to come out and shoot the song. I tried calling Tanushree but her makeup artist picked up the phone saying that she is sleeping inside the van and won't be able to shoot the song. I used to share the same makeup artist so I asked him what happened and he said that Tanushree was fighting with everyone on the set. She was inside the van for a long time. I got ready and reached the set and she was not opening the door of her van. There was a huge scene. After a while, the media also came in and many people had gathered by then. Honestly, I didn't like the song but I still ended up doing it because I wanted to help the producer. I ended up wearing Tanushree's clothes, something that I never do. I wore her clothes only because I wanted to help the producer. I was at the peak of my career during that time but I still wore her clothes and did the song. I wanted to save the lives of the producer and director."
Rakhi also spoke about having faced exploitation and says sometimes aspiring actors reach a 'settlement' in order to keep their careers on track. She reveals, "I have faced a lot of exploitation in the industry during my struggling days. I have slapped people, and I have hit people who tried to make indecent offers to me. But I don't think anyone can rape anyone. Most of the time, young strugglers reach a mutual settlement with greedy producers or actors."
When City Times got in touch with Tanushree she denied having received any legal notice from Nana Patekar.
"Given the recent developments, I am putting together a team of lawyers and advocates to defend my interests. Also, contrary to claims made by Nana's lawyer, I have not received any legal notice. So bluffmaster gogo needs to step up his game a bit here. Instead of making empty threats to intimidate me into silence, send me a legal notice and then you will see what I will do with it! Another very important issue that this current scenario raises is how when a victim speaks up there are morally bankrupt and corrupt lawyers and advocates who come forward to defend serial harassers and offenders for their two seconds of fame. Despite witnesses coming forward and all evidence in my support I'm being subjected to criminal intimidation and harassment by Nana's helper. I'm sure this guy has many skeletons in his closet too as birds of a feather always flock together. This is the story of countless millions in our country who are still awaiting justice because they got dragged into a web of legal mumbo jumbo and were silenced into submission. They make a mockery of not only our judiciary but also our esteemed constitution by trying to disrupt a person's freedom of speech by such threats.
"This lawyer along with his client should both be questioned and taken to task. I have a humble request to the Bar Association Of India to call out and take action against him and other such people who help perpetrators further harass their victims and witnesses in the name of the law."
Nana is a very shy person: Rakhi
Rakhi reveals what happened during the shoot of the Horn Ok Pleassss song with Nana. "Nana Patekar was with me during the song. The entire media was there asking Nana questions. I remember he said that he was not aware why Tanushree was upset. He shot the song with me like a professional. There were no intimate sets in the songs. Nana was with me in the song; Nana is a very shy person. I think Tanushree is a liar. Where was she all these years? I am surprised as to why she is abusing everyone after ten years. I don't think the film industry is supporting her. They are showing their sympathy towards her but no one is blaming Nana Patekar. Nana is a very soft person. He might come across as rough and tough on screen but he is a very decent person."
Nana shooting for new film
Nana Patekar responded to Tanushree's harassment allegations with this statement to Times Now: "What does she mean by sexual harassment? We were on the set and there were 50-100 people sitting in front of us." City Times tried to get in touch with Nana but he has not responded. As per our sources, he is currently in Jaisalmer shooting for Housefull 4. Meanwhile, Dubai producer Arjun Kumar tells us that he will soon work with Nana Patekar in a digital series where Nana will play the RAW chief in a Feroz Nadiadwala production.
arti@khaleejtimes.com