Allegations of Paid Defamation Campaign
Bollywood actor Tanushree Dutta has made serious allegations against the late actor Nana Patekar, claiming he paid media personality Rakhi Sawant ₹2.5 lakh in cash to target and defame her during the peak of India’s #MeToo movement. Speaking in an Instagram Live session, Tanushree stated that the information came directly from a former close associate of Rakhi, Rajashree More. According to Dutta, Rakhi allegedly visited Nana Patekar’s residence in her car to collect the cash payment just two days before hosting a controversial press conference against her.
Mental Distress and Press Conferences
Tanushree revealed that Rakhi went on to hold nearly 15 press conferences following the alleged cash exchange. She described how this continuous targeted campaign severely impacted her mental health and emotional well-being over the years. Dutta explained that while she was unaware of the financial exchange at the time, learning about the deliberate attempt to tarnish her image helped clarify the intensity of the backlash she faced during her public campaign against harassment.
Standing By the ‘Evil Dead’ Remark
Addressing the backlash over her recent controversial “Evil Dead” comment following Nana Patekar’s passing, Tanushree stood firmly by her statement. She explained that from the perspective of a victim who endured five years of relentless pressure, the phrase accurately reflected her experience. She alleged that Patekar operated behind the scenes by paying others to execute attacks on her character while maintaining a clean public image.
Allegations of Threats, Bribes, and Sabotage
Dutta further claimed that she was subjected to intense pressure to withdraw her legal complaints. She alleged that she faced numerous monetary bribe offers, direct threats, and physical sabotage, including tampered car brakes and an instance of food poisoning. Despite these challenges, the former Miss India Universe maintained that she refused to bow down or retract her case.
The Origins of the Controversy
The ongoing legal and public dispute dates back to 2018, when Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of the movie Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss during a song shoot. While Patekar had denied all accusations at the time, the incident served as a key catalyst for the #MeToo movement within the Indian film industry.
