STARS SHOW SUPPORT FOR TANUSHREE

Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar among biggies say the world needs to believe harassment survivors

Actor Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment allegations against actor Nana Patekar, which shook the Hindi film industry recently, have found support in stars such as Sonam K Ahuja, Farhan Akhtar and Priyanka Chopra, who have tweeted in her favour. On Thursday, in a latest development, Tanushree also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of sexually harassing her on the sets of the 2005 film, Chocolate.

While Nana Patekar has laughed off the allegations, Farhan retweeted a journalist, Janice Sequeira, who claimed to have been present on the Horn Ok Pleasss (2008) film sets and confirmed Tanushree’s side of the story. “This thread is very telling. @janiceseq85 was there at the time of the incident being debated today. Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not & her story hasn’t changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned.”

Priyanka Chopra, too, said this in reply to Farhan’s tweet, “Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors”. Actors Sonam K Ahuja, Richa Chadha and Parineeti Chopra also extended their support. “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,” tweeted Sonam.

As for the Vivek Agnihotri development, Tanushree, in an interview to DNA, said, “It was [Irrfan’s] close-up [shot], and [Agnihotri] told me ‘Jao jaake kapde utaar ke naacho, usko cues do.” She added that Irrfan put a stop to this. HT could not independently verify this allegation.

Meanwhile, actor Amitabh Bachchan is being slammed on Twitter for not taking a stand on the issue. Asked about it at the trailer launch of Thugs of Hindostan, he said, “Na toh mera naam Tanushree hai, naa hee Nana Patekar.”

A user, Nayana Sharma, wrote, “...Preach something and do totally opposite is what they do best...” Another user, Yoshi, tweeted, “Amitabh Bachchan was legit in Pink speaking for justice and what’s right. K, only do things for damn promo.”

Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not & her story hasn’t changed now. FARHAN AKHTAR ACTOR

PHOTO: FOTOCORP

PHOTO: SANTOSH HIRLEKAR/PTI Meanwhile, actor Amitabh Bachchan is being slammed on Twitter for not taking a stand on the TanushreeNana controversy

Tanushree has also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of sexually harassing her