Glad Tanushree was heard after 10 long years, says sister
Last year, Bollywood was hit by a tornado named #MeToo, where several women spoke about the sexual harassment they have faced. The storm was started by actress Tanushree Dutta, who accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her in 2008 on a film set. Now, her sister, actress Ishita Dutta says that she's thankful that the industry has finally acknowledged harassment as a serious issue.
'It was a troubled time for her and the family'
"10 years ago when this had happened to Tanushree no one had acknowledged and supported her. I am glad that Tanushree was finally heard. It was a troubled time for her and the family," Ishita said. When asked if police are trying to delay the investigation, the 28-year-old actress said that she doesn't know about the case, "but I know about that day."
Backstory: In 2008, Tanushree's car was attacked by a mob
"Had they (police) not reached at that minute, things would have got worse. You must have seen the video. Had it not been the cops, probably the car's windshield would have broken," the Drishyam actress said, referring to a 2008 video that showed Tanushree's car being attacked. She applauded her sister for the courage and strength she has shown all this while.
Ishita notes #MeToo movement is not a one person job
The young actress also pointed out that an impactful movement like this "isn't the job of just one person." "Yes, Tanushree did initiate it and she has always been very strong and vocal about everything. But I am glad people understood the intensity of the movement. Not just women, a lot of male actors have come together to support this," she noted.
'People are ready to listen. That's what has changed'
"They are now acknowledging that harassment is a serious issue. People are ready to listen. That's what has changed. I have a lot of respect for people who have supported her. It takes a lot many people to take forward a movement," Ishita said.
Tanushree was the reason why Ishita joined the industry
Tanushree, despite facing the ugly incident way back in 2008, did not discourage her sister to join the industry. "She is one of the reasons why I joined the industry. She motivated me a lot. Now, a lot of women look up to her. They are so proud of her for speaking up and starting something which was so required," Ishita said.
Lucky enough not to face harassment, the actress says
Ishita, who made her debut with a Telugu film in 2012, says that though she was "lucky enough not to face anything like this, but I know that a lot of friends have." "It does leave a scar. It's a very tragic and traumatizing thing to happen," she added. Work wise, Ishita is set to return to TV with Ekta Kapoor's Bepannah Pyaarr.
Ishita talks about her next project, her character in it
Talking about the same, Ishita said, "It's a love story and a thriller. People are going to find my character (named Pragati) very cute. She is very confident, but clumsy at the same time. For her, her job is very important. Her relationship with her father is also very interesting." Naagin actor Pearl V Puri will be cast opposite her as Raghbir.
Patekar, his team trying to 'mislead' police, says Tanushree's lawyer
Meanwhile, Tanushree is still fighting for justice. Yesterday her lawyer Nitin Satpute said that Patekar and his team are trying to "mislead" the investigation agencies, and "intimidating and threatening" witnesses. "They have put obstacles in the investigation and are trying to mislead the police agency. For that purpose we're going to move an application seeking action against Patekar and four other accused," he said.
