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Tanushree Dutta: Irrfan Khan and Suniel Shetty stood up for me when Vivek Agnihotri told me, ‘Kapde utar ke naach’


Former Miss India Universe and ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne‘ fame Tanushree Dutta, who initiated what can be called India’s very own #MeToo campaign in 2008, is now back in the country and has once again accused veteran actor Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, ‘Horn Ok Pleassss’ producer Sami Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang of harrassing her on the sets of the film.

Tanushree also claimed that Nana Patekar has had a history of assaulting women and that everyone in the industry is aware of the same.

Complete article HERE

This entry was posted on September 27, 2018 at 9:37 PM and is filed under Refugee with tags , , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

384 Responses to “Tanushree Dutta: Irrfan Khan and Suniel Shetty stood up for me when Vivek Agnihotri told me, ‘Kapde utar ke naach’”

  1. tonymontana Says:
    September 27, 2018 at 9:47 PM

    Shocking if true! Many masks are being unveiled

    Like

  2. Swati Says:
    September 27, 2018 at 9:48 PM

    Anyone watched kavanaugh-Ford testimony?

    Like

  3. Latha Says:
    September 27, 2018 at 10:10 PM

    There has been huge criticism of Bachchan and Aamir on news channels for being non committal on this issue. I thought however that Aamir made the right comment

    If things have to change , then the ladies in Bollywood have to speak out and name and shame the perpetrators.Unless they speak out, very little can be achieved. While I understand careers may be at stake , someone has to make a beginning.

    Media has a role to play and a responsible one – not just publishing responses from either side

    Like

    • LS Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 11:49 AM

      Aamir said what was safe and fair. He works with Rural Maharashtra — and Nana Patekar is a favourite there.

      Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        September 28, 2018 at 11:54 AM

        There I am with Datta: women know the difference between gruffness and harassment

        Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:15 PM

          Nana is difficult man. He has problems with everyone. Men and women. There are complains from absolutely every one, directors, producers, male-co actors. Not that I am supporting or condoning his behavior with Tanushree. But I am not sure if she had to compromise to get the role in the movie. Work place harrassment is still a serious charge.
          There are lot of Shakti Kapoors and top notch producers, directors, actors.. ‘pleasing’ them is must to get a movie role. They are all exploitative and exploitative practices and Rekha should pen her autobiography and name everyone.

          Like

  4. sanjana Says:
    September 27, 2018 at 10:36 PM

    No one will stand for Tanushree openly. They know the backlash they will get if they do so. They are ready to face twitterati than face their their powerful colleagues and politicians. Once bitten twice shy.
    What happened to the actresses from the south is also a bitter example. As long as it happens to others its ok.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Jeeves Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 12:02 AM

    remember Tanushree from Chocate, Dhol fame

    Like

  6. sanjana Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 2:11 AM

    Amid major silence from film industry, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhaskar and Richa Chadda support Tanushree Dutta

    http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/amid-major-silence-film-industry-priyanka-chopra-farhan-akhtar-swara-bhaskar-richa-chadda-support-tanushree-dutta/

    Like

  8. Bliss Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 4:16 AM

    Liked by 1 person

  10. tonymontana Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    The indian film industry is in a sorry state. things are probably better than they were in the 70s maybe for women but getting a major star to pay for his sexual misdeeds is as difficult as … well.. getting a major star to pay for his sexual misdeeds

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Swati Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 8:08 AM

    Men could be vulnerable too. Maybe VA told her to change into dance clothes and the choice of words could be very poor and disrespectful. Nana has problem with everyone not just women. That is Nana for you.
    How can Amitabh say anything in support. For that matter any man in BW? They all had “affairs” and multiple affairs and they all are guilty of using their power and clout to their favor. Fatima would not have scored a movie in ToH had she not….that is the truth.

    Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 9:05 AM

      That is a completely unfair insinuation where any actress is concerned. It would be most odd for Fatima Sheikh to be both, having an affair with Aamir, AND hanging out with his wife. More broadly, we can’t move towards a more gender equitable industry if we encourage a discourse where every newcomer who gets a role is suspect. And note the double-edged sword: those who ARE NOT successful are dismissed because “hey sour grapes they didn’t make it and are seeking publicity”; whereas those who DO make it are suspected.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Saket Says:
        September 28, 2018 at 11:57 AM

        Seriously Q, you are responding to this? When anyone supports a creep like Vivek Agnihotri — of urban naxals & Modi-bhakt fame — then that can only be an ideological defense.

        To think that it comes from a woman is even more shocking!

        Like

    • LS Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 11:47 AM

      That is the rumour, not necessarily the truth. And I mean this for all stars. Media reports rumours, as they wish, according to who is the media darling.

      As far as Patekar is concerned — the man is known to be gruff in speech.

      Like

    • Vee Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 12:07 PM

      It is so, so, so telling of the Indian mentality toward female sexuality that photos of Tanushree kissing Emraan Hashmi onscreen are now being widely dredged up to discredit her claims against Nana. It’s the same attitude that results in marital rape remaining legal and culturally sanctioned, or in heroes ignoring a heroine’s initial disdain and stalking her into romantic submission or people who think that a Indian woman who isn’t a premarital virgin has no ‘shame’ or ‘values’ and can’t be raped. There is simply no conception of autonomy or consent here and no space for a woman’s wants, desires, comfort level, pleasure and preferences.

      As the tweets on this subject indicate, the common thinking is that if she can do it with one man the only reason she doesn’t do it with another is because she is superficial and does not find him handsome/ charming/ smart/ successful enough so it really is her fault for rejecting him and not his fault for assaulting her. It’s as if a woman isn’t entitled to make any choices based on her personal likes and dislikes and any preferences that she has of a partner or lover are superficial, unreasonable and meant to be mocked and demonised.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Swati Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 1:04 PM

      I find VA and Nana both very creepy. I was just providing a viewpoint!!
      And yes, Fatima is very talented! And so were Suhash Ghai actresses who had to listen to his scripts for few months in his madh island bunglow. Aamir has history! Even he won’t dispute the affair!

      Like

      • Saket Says:
        September 28, 2018 at 1:15 PM

        Not suggesting that the casting couch doesn’t exist. In all probability, it does. But your first instinct was to give the benefit of doubt to Vivek Agnihotri (maybe he was suggesting Tanushree to change into some clothes fit for dancing!) and at the same time you suggested that all the other male stars are adulterers who wouldn’t take a stand on this issue.

        One can either give the benefit of doubt to everyone, which includes Bachchan and Aamir, or one can choose to paint everyone guilty. One can’t just pick and choose — based on one’s own ideology.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:30 PM

          One other thing: let’s not lump together those who commit adultery (Amitabh, Aamir) and those who harass. One is a question of what consenting adults do in private — that is NOWHERE the same as what Nana is accused of doing. The casting couch (sadly very very common, where sex is a quid pro quo) is a third variant, and also repellent. I wasn’t born yesterday, and realize the dividing line between all these categories might not be very clean in all cases (e.g. is there always an implicit quid pro quo if superstar X sleeps with struggling newcomer Y?), but we must consider them separately. I don’t for one second believe that an adulterer is more likely to harass than anyone else.

          Saket: perhaps I wasn’t clear: my point was that there OUGHT NOT to be a political spin on this (sadly, I am aware that these days everything does).

          Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:33 PM

          Hit “send” in haste, updated the comment above.

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 2:28 PM

          “One other thing: let’s not lump together those who commit adultery (Amitabh, Aamir) and those who harass. One is a question of what consenting adults do in private — that is NOWHERE the same as what Nana is accused of doing. ”
          Thats why all actresses from Aruna Irani (mehmood) to Ash had boyfriends. If you read Shakti Kapur’s undercover interview (on utube), he clearly says you just have to F#$% me, instead of every single person. Aruna Irani had said long back same thing. She chose Mehmood. These sugar-daddys protect you from having to sleep around. You compromise once. Thats all. The only two people who did no such thing were Meenakshi Sheshadri and Vidya Balan. Vidya even said that she had a choice of walking away even if someone made her feel uncomfortable e.g. looking at her boobs, because she had no financial or ambition pressure.
          But the “compromise” with one person, even if knowingly-willingly is still is a compromise!! An actor having consenting relationship with many of his actresses, is always going to use tht relation to recommend them for future roles. That much is given. Favor for favor.

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:46 PM

          “But your first instinct was to give the benefit of doubt to Vivek Agnihotri”
          Nope. It is just a POV on men and their vulnerability. Don’t like Nana. Don’t like Vivek. I really don’t care for any of the male stars or actors in bollywood. From Ajay Devghan, Akshay, Salman, aamir, all are abusers of their power. The only honorable men might be Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan in main stream cinema.
          I know few men friends who are accused of taking dowry when marraige didn’t work out and things moved to divorce.
          There is always other side.
          Also read whole thread of janiceseq85, a journo who was present. What I found creepy and interesting was Nana saying “beti jaisi hai” quotes Janice, for Dutta, on the day this incident happened.
          According to Dutta, indecent steps were added by Ganesh Acharya at behest of Nana. At this point, Ganesh, Irfan, Vivek should give statement.
          I remember distinctly reading interview of late Smita Patil’s mom, that after “aaj rapat jaye” song smita came home crying because she felt very exploited and disgusted by the choreography of the song.

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:47 PM

          Akshay Kumar, son of Vinod Khanna.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:49 PM

          Do you mean Akshaye Khanna?

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 2:31 PM

          Yes. Akshay Khanna. But Karan Johar, Akshay Khanna too may have few skeltons in their closet, even if they are not publicly out of closet. Karan might have used couch to promote his male talents and finds!

          Like

  12. Satyam Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    Yes I’ve been following this story. Farhan Akhtar had a good tweet on it. The one problem I have with a story like this and including all those that have come out in the US and elsewhere is that a) on the one hand it’s good that these people are being shamed or their careers being ended or in some cases having to face criminal prosecution.. but b) on the other hand the sensationalist coverage of these stories creates the impression that these are bad apples. Larger institutional critiques are always missing. it’s then the luck of the draw. Who gets shamed and who doesn’t. Not that I have any sympathy for those who do, just that it distorts things a great deal. Take Kavanaugh. Obviously such a guy should be nowhere close to any kind of court let alone the Supreme Ct. On the other hand the frat parties and what not he’s been a part of are all too common even today. Sports figures get away with just about anything, just in colleges but equally the sort of culture Kavanaugh seems to have loved is hardly exceptional and certainly not ‘in the past’. But there is nothing really being done one way or the other to change these cultures. ‘Everyone should behave’ seems to be the ‘hope’. And if you’re not a public figure you don’t even face the shaming because no one’s really going to bother. To be clear once more I’m all for exposing such people (no pun intended!) but even when the articles in question suggest there might be a larger cultural problem the entire media coverage creates the opposite psychological impression.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. jayshah Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 12:09 PM

    Why has Nana not responded with legal action?

    Like

    • Bliss Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 12:30 PM

      Liked by 1 person

      • Qalandar Says:
        September 28, 2018 at 12:31 PM

        Legal action proves nothing — in India people routinely do this to silence others because the process takes so long the legal action is itself the punishment (witness the likes of Jay Shah and Ambani threatening media outlets with defamation etc.).

        Like

        • Bliss Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 12:37 PM

          It is not threat but legal course. As per u, #LeLi can shoot and slander w/o reciprocal action.
          LOL.. M FoE is absolute and urs ( who don’t agree with us) is relative – Liberals

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 12:50 PM

          Well, I don’t think the Jay Shah issue was “left liberal” at all — and so far all interim court rulings have sided with the media outlet on that one.

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 12:50 PM

          Yep, this is exactly how we decide who’s the guilty party.

          Step 1: Check Nana Patekar’s & Vivek Agnihotri’s political ideology

          Step 2: Check Tanushree Dutta’s political ideology

          Step 3: pronounce verdict!

          Yeh Hai Mera India…

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 12:58 PM

          There is also the question of common sense: of course everyone is innocent until proven guilty. However, given the steep social penalties (in just about every country in the world), the likelihood that one would MAKE UP these allegations if one is a woman, is low. Second, the likelihood that you would make up allegations that involve other celebrity witnesses – here, Irrfan and Suniel Shetty — are even lower (because now you run the risk that you will be contradicted by the other two). So, as between two choices — (1) Tanushree D is telling the truth; and (2) there is a conspiracy between Tanushree and two other celebrities to defame Nana Patekar — it seems far more likely for me to believe that she is telling the truth. As an aside, that is why I also believed allegations against Tejpal too (even though there were no witnesses): the fact is that FALSE allegations of rape are rarer than unicorns, as any person who has studied the legal system in any country will tell you. [What is NOT rare is male hysteria over false rape / harassment allegations: that is indeed very common, but has no basis in data.] My default presumption might change if rape were very easy to prove (it is not: most defendants are acquitted), or if there were no social costs (apart from legal bills, time, effort, one’s reputation and dignity is trashed in the process, and even social sympathy is not present), but given the reality is the opposite, I am inclined to believe the women in this, or the #MeToo cases in the US.

          [Aside: until this allegation I didn’t realize that the Vivek Agnihotri who directed films is the same as the TV anchor! There is simply no ideological spin here, as men of ALL ideological stripes have been accused of grievous misconduct — Harvey Weinstein was a known benefactor of and donator to liberal causes, including women’s causes; but he also appears to have been a rapist and violent misogynist. I know these days in India and the USA everything is politicized and tribalized, but when it comes to violence against women, no ideology has its hands clean! People are only making this a Left-Right issue because Vivek Agnihotri is Right and people felt the need to defend him; with Tejpal, liberal journalists turned on him quite quickly.]

          Liked by 1 person

        • Saket Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 1:04 PM

          If there is no ideological spin to this case (or the social media response to it!) then why do you think two females on this very forum are defending a certain Vivek Agnihotri?

          As far as I can recall no one ever defended Tejpal! Nobody will ever say anything positive about Weinstein either.

          It’s a broader question of ethics…

          Like

        • Bliss Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 2:09 PM

          “pronounce verdict!”

          U guys do it. Good to look at oneself and comments.

          Modi Bhakts and all …
          Anarchist Kejriwal learnt lesson hard way and now quiet

          “Well, I don’t think the Jay Shah issue was “left liberal” at all ” ..
          Hahahahahahahaha
          What’s scroll and wire?
          KuchBee

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 2:18 PM

          If a leading politician’s son’s net worth has ballooned since his father assumed power, you don’t think journalists should be focusing on that? Note that the judiciary agreed with the media outlet that no injunction is warranted. So it isn’t just about Wire or Scroll, the prima facie basis for restraining publication of the piece was NOT established by Jay Shah. That isn’t the same as a verdict (case is ongoing) but it does mean that the media outlet met initial threshold before the court

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 28, 2018 at 2:33 PM

          @Saket: I am NOT defending anyone!!! Please read my comments more responsibly! Don’t draw conclusions. Looking at all sides is not same as agreeing to all sides or taking sides.

          Liked by 1 person

    • munna Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 12:52 PM

      He has dismissed the charges. I don’t think you can achieve much in India going legal route. Cases take too much time.

      Also the there is no culture of owning up the bad deeds. Have you seen Kevin Spacey, Steven Seagal saying something about other people who accused him. But in India we character assassinate the accuser. It is possible there could be motive but these are serious issues and you need serious discourse.

      There was recent Radhika Apte accusations. As Q was saying females know when there is advance and when it is inappropriate. She said male star offered to rub her back after she complained of back pain. She thought it is inappropriate but in in stars mind it could have been advance for sex in more decent way than asking directly.

      https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/metoo-radhika-apte-reveals-her-co-star-offered-midnight-backrub-and-then-this-happened/

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Bliss Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 12:33 PM

    tarun tejpal was liberal and Sonia slave #JustSaying

    What do u expect from #LeLi ( Left + Liberals) ?

    Like

  15. jayshah Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 1:13 PM

    Whatever the legal system…if my life or behaviour is questioned I would sue. It’s indicative action of proving my innocence. Why would I let anybody strip me of my dignity? Maybe India is different & it’s programmed in such a way in mindsets that it’s not the way to go.

    Not saying anything on who is guilty or innocent. Just saying if I was innocent, I would protest or find a legal way to.

    Like

  16. Swati Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 1:24 PM

    Here is veteran Aruna Irani in an interview:
    Aruna admitted that she could not make it big in the industry because she did not compromise. “I would fool these men by pretending that I don’t understand what they were hinting at in order to save myself from their lecherous ways. But for how long I could dodge them and get away with it? When they flirted and made advances at me, I would just laugh off but later on lose out on their next film project. They wouldn’t repeat me and this was a known fact in the industry. Dabboo (Randhir Kapoor) would tease me about this. So, once in a while I would get big, meaty roles but since I wouldn’t compromise, I would lose out on the next big role from the same producer. I would accept whatever work came my way. My main focus was to earn good money. I had a huge responsibility of taking care of my entire family (Aruna is the eldest of her eight siblings). I didn’t have any ambition or goal of becoming the number one heroine of the country. That was my choice. I was asked for my consent, I was shown the carrot, and it was up to me whether I wanted to grab big projects but there was no force, no rape,” added the actress who has spent over 50 years in Bollywood.

    Aruna feels that such extreme cases of exploitation are rare in the industry. “Yes, casting couch is very much prevalent in the industry but things happen with the consent of aspiring actresses and at such times, nobody complains. It is all hush-hush, behind closed doors.

    Like

    • jayshah Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 1:28 PM

      Horrid but good on her

      Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      September 28, 2018 at 1:40 PM

      “Consent” doesn’t address the issue — the aim has to be to aim at greater gender equity, where people don’t feel like they need to trade sexual favors in order to get a fair shot at pursuing their dream. So I respect Irani’s point of view, but there is an implicit corollary to this that I resist, namely that “hey everyone knows what the deal is, now don’t complain later”. We all know what the deal is, but we want to step back and ask WHY that should be the only deal on offer? And if it IS the only deal on offer, then in today’s day and age there is an increasing likelihood that people will be named and shamed, and then THEY shouldn’t whine either (“hey why just me? Everyone else does it too!”) — because in today’s day and age, that’s also just… the deal.

      Imagine if we used this line of argument for Bofors or Rafale: hey the guns/planes are in fact great ones (they are!), everything was done willingly, sure some people made a lot of money and the government paid more than it should have, but what’s the harm? The politicos/foreign politicos/middlemen were all in on it, everyone consented! The very notion of such an argument would be held as absurd. Should be no different when it comes to sex/casting couch. Now, I appreciate Satyam’s point that there is a randomness introduced and what we need is a systemic critique, but there’s no either/or problem: we can do both. The point about “randomness” should lead us to greater sympathy and empathy for all the other victims out there — NOT for the one guy who got caught. (I know that isn’t what you were suggesting, of course, but often that’s how people seem to react: i.e. if X or Y or Z is also doing it, IMO let’s feel sorry for all those victims who didn’t get their day, NOT for the Spaceys and Nanas who are being accused.)

      Like

      • Vee Says:
        September 28, 2018 at 1:49 PM

        Are you trying to say that if powerful man routinely and systematically coerce young women into sleeping with them for roles it’s OK as long as the women say yes? That because the casting couch exists rape can’t happen? That every woman who enters Bollywood needs to be prepared to put up with anything from any man and it’s her fault for even being in this industry?

        How is it acceptable that there is an entire industry – an enormous, thriving, important industry – that denies women opportunities and employment unless they sleep with creepy men? Would you be similarly accepting if say, a woman gave an interview saying that it was impossible for girls to get into IIT/ IIM without sleeping with their professors or to get jobs in banks or IT companies unless they slept with the manager? Would you not think that it was patently unfair that women alone were being denied valuable opportunities for saying no to unwanted sexual advances?

        Why then is it acceptable to you that an industry like cinema, which influences so many impressionable young minds and has so much impact and power and reach, is run entirely by exploitative sleaze balls who form a boys club and deny women that don’t sleep with them entry into their coterie? Why does it not rankle you that female actors, writers and directors who don’t put up with such repugnant behaviour are denied the opportunity to have their talents seen and their scripts read and their voices heard by the world?

        You seem to believe that these powerful men brazenly proposition every young women that wants a role, without fear of consequence or judgement. Are you then so naive to think that rape and abuse of women is ‘extremely rare’ in such an environment of extreme male sexual entitlement? Haven’t we all seen how even Aishwarya Rai (powerful, famous, adored, supported by Vivek and her parents) was treated when she tried to report Salman? Does this look to you like an industry where abuse of women is shockingly rare or does it looks like an industry where abuse of women is deeply entrenched, accepted and supported publically and unrepentantly?

        Liked by 2 people

  17. Swati Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 2:20 PM

    Janice Sequeira
    ‏
    Verified account

    @janiceseq85
    Sep 26

    Later, she said, a lewd dance step was introduced on the insistence of #NanaPatekar, so he could touch her inappropriately. That’s where alarm bells rang, and Tanushree decided to walk off set. What she didn’t expect was the aggression shown by the producers after.

    Aren’t all men who pay for movie tickets and watch such dances in movies and make them 100 crore success guilty? It is the ticket paying audience that gets the producers-directors to add these scenes or vulgar dance moves and thus objectify a womans body.
    One bollywood villain in an interview had said that he got the directory to add kiss in a rape scene with Hema.
    I wonder if Hema Malini is even aware of this.
    Katrina Kaif and many others do it willingly in movies. Tanushree chose to walk away from it by locking herself in her vanity van.

    Like

  18. Coolguy Says:
    September 28, 2018 at 3:26 PM

    The thing is no one is innocent or completely innocent. Probably these kind of things happen all the while in the glamour world and to a lesser extent in corporate world but in the end it comes down to 1 thing: What is there for one to gain or loose? If Tanushree was a successful star today what would have she done?? Maybe it happens more with people who has no one to support or has no chance to make it big on his/her own. In today’s world we talk about networking or we talk about marketing ourselves. But all these things come with negatives. I am not saying it’s bad but if today’s road to success is networking, marketing, finding mentors and godfathers people in good positions will start feeling entitled to get something in return. It’s a harsh reality. I am not saying anyone has right to ask for sexual favors. That is gross, but if x gives it, y gives it, expectations will be set for z. And it may be not sexual favour it may be something else which may be equally unacceptable. If a reasonably attractive woman asks the same from a man, and a man denies it what will people think of that man or woman? I am sure no one will say much to that woman. And I can tell you there are many women who will think that man is an idiot or maybe gay or worse he is impotent.
    Weather we like it or not as long there are different rules for men and women there will be differences between men and women. Equality is a myth. It’s all about who will be having a upper hand?

    Like

  22. munna Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 4:05 AM

    Updated post with video of Tanushree interview.
    She is very eloquent.

    Like

  23. munna Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 4:24 AM

    Video from 2008:

    Like

    • sanjana Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 4:57 AM

      Male film stars need to think before they say something. They should be prepared to say the right thing in the right manner. They know media will ask uncomfortable questions because it is media’s duty. They know the news and they know they will be asked about it. Especially if it concerns about social issues like rape, molestation etc.
      I think Aamir Khan learnt his lesson after his intolerance remark and now he is doubly conscious of what to say and how to say it.
      Bachchan need not worry because the establishment is firmly on his side.

      Like

  25. munna Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 4:53 AM

    The song where Tanushree complained about the Nana getting too close:

    Like

    • Swati Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 10:52 AM

      It is quite vulgar song, the lyrics and gestures and all of it. I see why any actress would be uncomfortable with this dance. I don’t see Nana touching Rakhi but his character seems to be a village bumpkin who is horney and lusting on the dancer. This was in an interview of Saroj Khan. Sridevi was uncomfortable with bending scene in a dance that Saroj choreograhed, so Sri covered her hand onto the top while bending in the dance and Saroj fired or didn’t work with Sri for one whole year. This is how much clout a successful choreographer has! I am sure Smita Patil, Madhuri Dixit and most of them were uncomfortable on many or most of their songs but you do what you do to be part of commercial hindi movies, I suppose. If you complain they will find someone else. Like they found Rakhi to do it.

      Like

  26. sanjana Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 5:16 AM

    If they chose to act with Nana Patekar. It is their call. The entire film industry is friendly with Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan after knowing about their history. I think that when you are swimming with them, it is difficult to antagonise them and survive. Their fault is not to accept that they will support some because they are their friends and they have double standards. They will not do so. Very disappointing. But it is the reality.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. munna Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 4:25 PM

    Having gone through old material (nana and Tanushree), I think it is workplace harassment case. She was suppose to do One item song which was raunchy (we can argue why there is need for one). She didn’t like Nana coming too close to her during rehearsals. She objected and wanted certain change. Everything was in full public view. It was up to director to accede to her request as she was uncomfortable. But then if you look at Rakhi sawant (who was her replacement ) , it needed some touching from Nana character. Whatever MNS did and subsequent physical threat was wrong (probably at insistence of director-producers). But in totality I think Aishwarya had much stronger case with chalte chalte (where Salman barged on set and she was dropped because of that).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Swati Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 4:56 PM

      Agree completely.
      Ganesh Acharya gives me creeps. Daisy Shah was his “assistant” even back then. Imagine what poor thing must have gone thru’ for getting a film career!! Did you see RSawant’s statement? She says Nana was uncomfortable touching her in the song. I suppose Nana is currently standin for all the bad men of BW, guilty or not.

      Liked by 2 people

  31. sanjana Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 8:41 PM

    This raises the question. Are item songs necessary? They became staple during the 60s I think. Though 50s had item songs they were somewhat prudish. Soon it became a must whether it is an art film or masala one. It is nothing but skin show. Top actresses can get away with this. It is the ones who have become item song specialists who go through the grind willingly or unwillingly. Whether one agrees or not these songs from films played in single screens made women look as items, degraded them and youth started venting their frustrations or desires on the nearest available girl. In the south it is much more blatant. It is easy to blame the audience. But it is also a lazy way to get some footfalls.
    Say No to item songs.
    Sholay would have worked without Mehbooba song.

    Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 8:49 PM

      It’s an interesting question, but I would note that not all feminists are united on the issue: many would see the “item numbers” as MORE empowering than the Maa/behen/virtuous woman roles (strait jackets, in the sense that they take away even the sexual power deployed by women in a patriarchal society). Certainly some of the finest item numbers in Hindi film history (Kajraa Re, for instance; or, while much less artistically impressive, consider the vibe of Chikni Chameli) have preserved this sense of power and female authority (even as one recognizes there is complicity with the male gaze). In India there is all too often a very binary approach to this (the woman is either “objectified” — bad — or “dignified” — good), but I would submit we need a more nuanced approach to this sort of thing. I of course agree with you that it’s such videos are lazy, but I find them far less offensive than ordinary scenes where (eg) professional women are made to dress in extraordinary fashion in the name of glamor (unlike in Hollywood, in many Bollywood films, cops, lawyers, doctors, women at a wedding all dress scantily, without regard to character or locale or scene). Note: the question of how an item song is filmed — ie what happens on the sets and the process of making such a video — is a different, but no less relevant problem; in an industry dominated by sexism and sexist practices, I can only imagine that this must be a deeply sordid endeavour.)

      Like

      • sanjana Says:
        September 29, 2018 at 9:10 PM

        The folk songs and tawaaif culture were strictly localised. But films are everywhere.
        Take for example ek do teen, chikni chameli or that Kareena and Vidya’s item numbers. What we see is one woman surrounded by men very closely pawing, hands raised, leering. What does that indicate? Gang rape! Is it acceptable even if they are done artistically or in context? One thing leads to another.
        As for ma, bahen, mother. There are wives also. They are not exactly lame.

        Liked by 1 person

  33. Marcus Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 10:31 PM

    I think people need to look within first. How many times have you bought a movie ticket or legally watched a film on satellite platform that has a bollywood ‘item’ number? Its this consumption pattern that supports such institutions like bollywood or hollywood or whatever where a majority of industry power-horses are like nana patekar.

    Like

  34. Master Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 11:18 PM

    I’m very pro-female in such matters but I think Tanushree’s case is very weak here. Not even supporting Nana or Ganesh, I think its very weaker issue and not comparable to rapes done by Harvey Weinstein and hence not even suitable to get into #Metoo bandwagon.

    Okay, lets take the case in steps. Tanushree dutta was signed for this raunchy number in B-grade movie where only A-lister is Nana (and hence he will dictate everything in the movie). Then Tanushree insists that Nana joined the song when it was originally solo. Okay.. that doesn’t seem anything odd where last minute changes happen so often. This was the only promotional song of the movie and it makes to have Nana in the song as well as he’s only the ‘star’ of the movie.

    Second step – Tanushree insists that Nana ‘told’ Ganesh to add some steps where Nana can touch her inappropriately. Now, this is very different kind of harassment. This is infront of 100-200 people.

    Third step – Tanushree didn’t even shoot the song , she was dropped during the rehearsals before practicing it with Nana and left the shoot at the location.

    Fourth step – When she was leaving and blaming Ganesh, producers and Nana this is not acceptable to here, the producer called out some goons to show her their power and not being co-operative and leaving the shoot.

    Fifth step – Tanushree was harassed and she left the shoot with her parents who came to get her out.

    Here, the goon harassment happened as Tanushree left the shoot mid-way which is a huge loss for a small budgeted movie. You can’t talk about that harassment once she left the shoot. That is secondary now.

    I totally get that its workplace harassment about the dance steps but the industry is that new juniors will do stuff which they are not comfortable for the fear of making seniors upset (Madhuri kissed Vinod Khanna in Dayavan in fear or upsetting Vinod & Feroz Khan).

    Finally, she didn’t like steps, she left the shoot.. there is nothing more to it and it’s not like Nana has raped or even assaulted her in her van(which seems more ideal for a bad guy than to add a step to touch her once in front of 100 people). Nana doing so much effort just to touch 1 actress/dance girl is silly and not much meat in this case, SORRY!!

    Note: Offside, Nana can be a womanizer and even a rapist and all that but in this case, it doesn’t come across. Everyone knows Nana’s temper but this is not the same issue.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marcus Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 11:31 PM

      Agreed. And its also a fact that due to the prevalent culture of item numbers in bollywood, touching the girls inappropriately is the industry norm. Its not a surprise that Amitabh, Aamir, Salman, SRK are all silent on this more or less – they know it happens in almost every film out there in bollywood. And dont we all spend our money on such films and support this culture?

      My advise to Tanushree is that please dont take up a job without knowing the job description and understanding whats expected from you. And if you do in ignorance (which i doubt), please dont crib later on.

      As for institutional problem, we as audience are as much to be blamed as the producers.

      Like

      • Marcus Says:
        September 29, 2018 at 11:35 PM

        And lets not just point at b-grade films and their makers. Did Sholay need Mehbooba to make those 15 cr? Does TOH need 2 item songs from Katrina? Are we ‘ethical’ enough to not watch TOH because of it?

        Like

        • sanjana Says:
          September 29, 2018 at 11:50 PM

          This is the argument that producers and directors forward that they are catering to the demanding audience. DDLJ, Fanaa did not have item numbers as far as I know. And so are many others.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:09 AM

          My comment was not a tap on ddlj or fanaa fans. Thats for masala connoisseurs of this blog to think about.

          Like

        • sanjana Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:20 AM

          Well, many masala films dont have explicit item numbers. They may have qawwalis like in Amar Akbar Anthony. I am not sure whether it has any item number. Today it is different. A masala film means an item number included. Is Dangal a masala film? Did it have an item number? There are many definitions and interpretations of masala film.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:36 AM

          Dangal a masla film? Thats news to me. Please make much more of such masala, maybe Salman can help.

          Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        September 29, 2018 at 11:43 PM

        Marcus: this is a non-sequitur: the fact that item numbers might be a part of the job description does not mean that one must be harassed while filming those (by this logic every actress in world cinema who agrees to do lovemaking scenes is consenting to being harassed). There are a lot of people who have spoken and worked a great deal to try and ensure the comfort of actresses in these situations — here we are talking about an allegation that (if true) means that a dance step was added SO THAT the senior actor could touch her. That is a very different thing.

        Liked by 2 people

    • Swati Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 1:06 PM

      Very well analysed. Agree with you. Nana is in general a difficult man but doesn’t come across lecherous difficult man. Not to me at least!

      Like

  35. sanjana Says:
    September 29, 2018 at 11:47 PM

    Sending goons is not forgivable and is more grave as leaving the film shoot because of behaviour on the part of the dance director and others. Just because they hired someone, they cant treat her as a dog or cat. Those who encourage goon culture by making it a small issue cannot cry when goons lynch their own women.
    She also spoke about Vivek Agnihotri. She has not targetted one person. She also mocked PC for joining the bandwagon just for the sake of it. Tomorrow people will say that women who travel by bus or train should not cry if someone touches them inappropriately and so they should have private cars!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Marcus Says:
      September 29, 2018 at 11:55 PM

      If you have voted ever in your life, you must have known that the politician you voted for is fighting the election which itself is goon culture everywhere in india – less or more. And molestations in buses is routine stuff. What do you do on a daily basis to stop it?

      Like

    • Marcus Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 12:09 AM

      And let me insist that every month you are paying taxes to these politicians who are goon-mongers. Please dont think you have the privilege to say anything about goon culture …

      Like

      • sanjana Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 12:14 AM

        Not all are like that. There are independent candidates too. Just like not all filmi people are alike.

        Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 12:56 AM

          Exceptions to the rule like you or me dont matter in a democracy which is all about majority.

          Like

        • sanjana Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:22 AM

          Unfortunately in many places political parties try to intimidate voters and others. But they are also being watched by the media and EC. So they cant go far and they are checked.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:37 AM

          You need to go out at grass root level in any indiand state. Who funds media/journalists, you need to dig a little bite deeper.

          Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 11:24 AM

        Marcus, you are flitting between two positions here — the fact that most politicians are part of goon culture does not mean we won’t sympathize with their victims; you are using this to advance an argument that we shouldn’t feel sorry for Tanushree Datta because “hey she knew the score going in!” That is completely different: WHY should the game be rigged in that fashion? By this logic if the proverbial honest candidate stands for election and is beaten up or murdered, we shouldn’t feel sorry for him/her because hey, we all know what politics is so why did she/he bother? No one can possibly deny that film industries all over the world have been a certain way (and the Tanushree incident might not even make the top 1000 worst incidents). BUT it is undeniably true that people today have different expectations, or enough of them do that if the “old boys network” does not change, over time they can expect more social media/media shaming of this kind. And I wouldn’t have much sympathy for them.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 11:26 AM

          agreed on all counts..

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 11:29 AM

          PS — personally I am also not on board for a wholesale condemnation of so-called “item numbers”, for some of the reasons I have stated elsewhere in this thread. I do not agree that item numbers by definition degrade/objectify women (any more than various other things in society/cinema). There are certainly some horrible ones (e.g. the lyrics of Chanay ke khet mein are in a class by themselves — from the bottom), but the best of these are superb. In fact the best of these so-called “item numbers” are more “pro-woman” than many of the “normal” roles assigned to women in Hindi films (e.g.: give me Sheila ki Jawaani any day – ANYDAY! — from a feminist perspective over the regressive crap assigned to Kajol’s character (and women in general) in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai).

          Like

        • Swati Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 1:10 PM

          In fact the best of these so-called “item numbers” are more “pro-woman” —MD wasn’t happy with song in rain with Jackie and another song with Vinod in dayavan. These were not even item songs. She got conned in kissing in one. Smita Patil came home and cried after aaj rapat jaye rain son with Amitabh. Just because there is “consent” doesn’t mean they are not disgusted in doing the scenes!

          Like

  38. Bliss Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 2:32 AM

    It is surely appropriate that Americans should respond to Blasey’s obvious decency, compelling story, and confident memory with an open mind. But if Kavanaugh ends up winning confirmation, it will have much to do with the perception that Democrats never intended a fair process to begin with, toward either the nominee or his accuser; that they treated allegation as fact; and that they raised their sense of belief above normal standards of fair play. This may be the hill they want to die on. The rest of America should be careful not to follow.

    Like

  39. jayshah Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 2:58 AM

    These things can never be looked as, as black and white completely. The red card is not given as a consequence of breaking one’s leg. Intention and motive to hurt but not actually physically hurting is enough to give a red card. It is also about creating a safe environment to work or play or whatever.
    Whichever way you cut it if what Nana has been said to have done here is true he deserves to be made an example of.

    On item numbers I think the discussion is going elsewhere. Ek Do Teen and Dhak Dhak benefited Madhuri greatly. Not every man thinks like a rabid sex starved being when viewing the song. It cuts both ways, guys like Salman take off there clothes regularly. The ‘muscular’ male body onscreen is the ‘in’ thing. Cuts both ways. This has more to do with how we as individual view these videos on a case by case basis. Some are thoroughly unwatchable for being undignified and some because they are just terrible songs in the first place. The really raunchy ones are the western videos. MTV/and alike channels should come with this disclaimer. The line here is so vague and very individual IMO. It’s different for anybody and implementing anything next to impossible. It’s too driven by one’s own taste and agenda/ethics. I don’t mind many of them and I care less for way more but I wouldn’t let my daughter do them if I had the choice but if she wanted too I wouldn’t say no too.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marcus Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 3:09 AM

      The question is not about participation at all. Its about your tolerance … your ‘liberalism’ thats being taken advantage of by the screwed up people.

      Like

  40. Bliss Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 4:17 AM

    In 2011, when @Payal_Rohatgi put allegation on Dibakar Banerjee, for casting couch, bewda @anuragkashyap72 refused to believe.
    and he added,” if she is sleeping with a director then why would she have a problem in showing him her stomach”

    Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 11:47 AM

      With all due respect to Tanushree Datta, I don’t think this is a fair attack on Twinkle Khanna: she is not responsible for her husband (and in fact has repeatedly demonstrated that she has a mind and political viewpoint of her own: for instance Akshay has supported the government on many issues whereas Twinkle Khanna has criticized it). I am not a reflexive supporter of Twinkle Khanna (her social media shaming of a chap relieving himself on Versova Beach was disgusting and offensive) but she is not responsible for who her husband shoots with. Plus, let’s get some perspective: in her career in the industry Twinkle has probably been with and around people who have done things that make what Nana Patekar has done seem like a walk in the park — if she were to boycott all of them she would have to be a hermit. One can stand with the victims and try and change this industry, but it isn’t constructive to have this degenerate into what-aboutery and counter-shaming.

      Like

  43. Latha Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 6:27 AM

    If one looks at the history of Hindi cinema, it is quite evident that success for most heroines was not possible unless one gave in. A lot of the leading ladies had to work because of family circumstances and overbearing parents. Someone quite astutely remarked above that it was better to compromise once instead having to bow down to multiple times which is why perhaps they chose the respectable ones.
    Nargis( I fail to imagine why else she would choose to be with RK who for all his talent was a lechorous old man), Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh, Helen, Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Parveen Babi, Both the Mangeshkar sisters and the list is endless.The less said about Meena Kumari’s tragic life , the better.

    The irony is once they are sucessful and choose to move away from the sword of tyranny that hung around thier neck, what comes out of it is ‘ She used him to gain success and then dumped him’. ( Someone mentioned this in this forum for Kangana. What great advantage Pancholi and Adhyayan Suman brought to Kangana’s career is anybody’s guess). In all cases the males were married and continue to be married and yet become the martyrs.

    We have judged the heroines already. She wears skimpy clothes, does seductive dances so why should she complain. Afterall is not all this part of being a sucessful heroine ? And if she is not ready – she should quit. She has no right to complain.

    What people forget is that it is all about consent. And as Bachchan himself said and perhaps has forgotten now- No means No.

    Liked by 2 people

    • sanjana Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 6:35 AM

      At that time RK was young. Though he became old during the time of Zeenat Aman.
      Yet these heroines gave us those fabulous films to remember. Those scars must have remained with them.
      What a price to pay to be in show business!

      Like

    • jayshah Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 6:35 AM

      Consent is the key word, along with force and intent.

      In her shoes (if I’m the victim) I would not have gone this public, it seems to be attracting the wrong kind of media attention & is not doing her favours going after tweets from people in the industry. File an official complaint, drag it out for years.

      For Nana if I’m him (and I’ve done nothing wrong) – same thing file a case and sue her for public image damages.

      Either side needs to go the long legal slog instead of public mudslinging matches. It’s 10 years since the incident, it could be in court in 10 years time if filed back then!

      Liked by 1 person

    • munna Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 6:40 AM

      Those with “no” are easy to define. But where you don’t complain (even you are aware that you are being used) but after say some years you complain or tell the world what happened. So it becomes difficult to decipher your intend, if it was consensual, now feel guilty or you were induced in something you didn’t want but had to do it to get ahead in rat race.

      Like

      • Latha Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 7:21 AM

        When exploitation is a systematic malaise , there is no option then to give in. Take for eg, Asha Bhosle.If she had not entered into the relationship with OPN , would she have got the success she has got?
        Which is why there is a need for the Priyankas, Deepikas and Anushkas to speak out – and not just do lip service( I commend Tanushree for calling out Priyanka on this). As outsiders they are the only ones who can do it

        Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 11:54 AM

          Re: “When exploitation is a systematic malaise , there is no option then to give in.”

          Completely agree with this: which is why consent cannot be the barometer here. If I have consented to pay a bribe rather than have my work held up, then that doesn’t mean I have no right to complain about the corrupt system — and that is nowhere near as violating of one’s personhood as sexual exploitation is.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Qalandar Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 11:36 AM

      Aside: the history of film industries in general is equally sordid: during Hollywood’s Golden Age (when studios were all-powerful), actresses were routinely “passed around” from person to person within the studio, and the biggest exploiters were almost certainly the big male stars, but the (faceless) producers and senior office-types at these studios. The collapse of the studio system in America unquestionably was a huge boon to female performers, even as more permissiveness about depicting on-screen nudity and love-making opened them up to more of Tanushree Datta-style issues (inappropriate touching during filming, lewd atmosphere on-set, camera angles that performers aren’t aware of, “cut” said too late etc.). But still better than the enforced concubinage that dominated Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s and 1950s…

      Consider this sordid affair (as an aside, I consider this one of the most over-rated films I’ve ever seen). Hard to read without feeling outraged. All of this PRECEDED the Weinstein revelations (where I agree with Satyam is that this hypocrisy — “oh shit we didn’t know what was going on!” — is nauseating. We have long known (heck there were jokes on 30 rock about Weinstein, years ago).

      Like

  44. munna Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 6:49 AM

    unapproved all comments of Bliss and Saket.

    Like

    • Saket Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 6:55 AM

      Why? It’s not as if right-wing trolling is not going to rear its head again. So why delete the response to that trolling?

      I don’t usually respond to this sort of stuff unless it gets excessive. And I don’t appreciate this kind of school-level discipline.

      Like

      • Satyam Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 7:03 AM

        Saket, these sorts of exchanges lead nowhere, irrespective of who is more right or wrong. Eventually other people get into it, in related matters or otherwise. And they then feel favoritism has been shown if one exchange is allowed to stand and not another. I agree there shouldn’t have to be school-level discipline but believe me other ways have been tried as well and it never ends well.

        At least there are elections next year!

        Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:07 AM

          I’m not really into fights. Don’t have the time usually or the patience. But there are repeat offenders, and I’m sure everyone knows who those people are, but they are allowed to write arrant, biased nonsense.

          The problem arises when someone actually responds to that once in a blue moon.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:08 AM

          The moderators try to catch and weed out whatever seems problematic. But hard to do it perfectly all the time. Actually there used to be a lot more that was problematic once upon a time. It’s generally way better now.

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:16 AM

          Add dull and boring to that list. Not trying to be a wiseguy, but really, the mods, whoever they are, need to lighten up a bit.

          Not being facetious here.

          Like

        • munna Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:36 AM

          There are only two including Satyam. The board is not monitored round the clock. I sometime barge in when I see comments which are personal.

          There is no intend to enforce school like disciple. If there is not knok-jhok then it will be monotonous board but at same time atmosphere should be civil so that other members are not repulsed.

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:58 AM

          The other members who are repulsed can speak up!

          If that results in removal of comments then that is understandable. A unilateral view of what’s civil and what’s not, well, that’s probably not that kosher.

          If today, for instance, someone would have complained, then yes, the cleansing would have been justified.

          I’m not in anyway criticising anyone on a personal level (including the mods). I understand that discussions can really go off-track at times and can get ugly as well. Today it wasn’t ugly in anyway, off-track maybe. At least IMO.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 8:32 AM

          Moderation is a tough role even more so with what Satyam pays munna 😀
          Let it go. I’ve been moderated before but without it this place will go down to kindergarten quickly. It’s not personal with munna, he does the best job IMO. He did give a warning, he can’t wait for others to object. To take the school example you don’t wait for students to stop a fight, the teacher does. It doesn’t matter if you both take it personally, moderation is there not just to stop today but prevent it happening again and act as a deterrent.

          As Satyam said it’s improved a lot recently. I don’t take sides on this though I am agreeing with munna’s actions.

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 8:52 AM

          It doesn’t just act as a deterrent. It can also impede people from commenting further. Or ever again!

          Perhaps a sanitised, dettol-washed forum is the ideal that’s being strived for. That could be achieved as well. But at what cost?

          Either one bans politically-motivated comments completely…or one then also accepts the response that ensues.

          Do the former and that’s really taking a tough stand. BTW, I’m not one to take things personally. But yeah, censorship sucks. Especially if it only succeeds in creating an utterly drab setting where witty banter is disallowed.

          The last thing I’d like to do is to re-think my responses here. I’m already as politically-correct as I can get!

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:10 AM

          Banter happens all the time here but with political stuff it can turn ugly very quickly. it’s all happened in the past. People find it hard to stay at the ‘banter’ level. I wouldn’t call it ‘censorship’ in any case because this is not about supporting one party or the other, one star or the other, or what have you. Plenty of political discussions here in the past and from people on all sides. If we’re a bit alert here to these things it’s because we’ve seen enough consequences in the past. I see it like going to a party where one can of course have conversations or debates with anyone but one sometimes avoids these if one thinks things can go bad. Maybe it’s a more fun party with fisticuffs! Similarly some people can handle their alcohol better than others. But there’s still a legal limit while driving that applies equally to everyone. I also know with different people here where everyone is coming from, and how much ‘alcohol’ they can handle (or not)! but it’s harder to use this as an operating principle. Despite all this people complain a lot of times that there’s unfairness and what not.

          Speaking for myself, in recent times I have been most offended with Jay’s anti-Dil Se campaign..

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:32 AM

          Speaking for myself, I can ignore malicious intent (in messages) at least a few times. But perhaps not all the times.

          In 2011, when @Payal_Rohatgi put allegation on Dibakar Banerjee, for casting couch, bewda @anuragkashyap72 refused to believe.

          This was the original message that triggered my response. I do know why Anurag Kashyap is being targeted by Bliss. And hence my response.

          But this is all clogging up a rather important thread, so I will stop for now.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:41 AM

          Whoa, just got up and I saw 60+ notifications on the WordPress app— I have a lot of catching up to do!

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 11:06 AM

          I’m only joking on Dil Se. If I cared so much I would have rigged it by now. Given it a tough draw every round! LOL!!!

          But I’ve just had Dil Se on in my car. What a freaking album this is. Every single track is pretty ridiculous in its own right.

          If it wins then great! The only 2 parts I remember is some ‘are you a virgin?’ dialogue by Zinta (that floored me at the time) and when the leads blow up. I don’t remember much else. At some point I’ll revisit it.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 11:09 AM

          “I’m only joking on Dil Se.”

          Phew!

          I especially like the first half, the second half is messier in more ways than one, this is not an uncommon thing in this part of Ratnam’s career. The first halves are usually more convincing than the second ones, even with some of his best films. I think this is mostly because certain questions are opened up in these very interesting initial portions that then have to be ‘betrayed’ to some extent in the latter ones to arrive at some sort of commercial compromise. Dil Se though doesn’t quite have this problem. I think Ratnam here maintains a certain logic till the very end. It’s just that the second half could be ‘narratively’ better. Also like SRK a lot here. I didn’t appreciate this as much initially but Ratnam essentially takes the Rahul/Raj persona and puts him in these ‘strange’ frontier regions in the film where Raj/Rahul’s cluelessness in a way mirrors the audience’s own. The very narcissistic aspects of SRK’s persona, certainly in this characters, is deployed very well in the film’s first half. The second half is then also about his shedding his certainties to some extent. And what’s truly brilliant (I’m repeating myself here) is the degree to which in the second half Delhi (the heart of the Republic) itself becomes a deeply unsettling, vertigo-inducing site, not very different from the liminal regions the first half has introduced us to. In other way he takes the viewer to a ‘strange’ place and then makes that which is most familiar equally strange. In many ways (again repeating myself!) I think the Hindi or Tamil film most closely connected to Dil Se is Raavan/Raavanan. But this is also why I don’t like Roja at all. It’s too tame and too easy coming from Ratnam though it still has some of his nice trademark naturalistic moments. Dil Se is a strong revision of Roja at certain levels.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 12:18 PM

          Re: “It can also impede people from commenting further. Or ever again!”

          I hope that isn’t true in your case, Saket!

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:07 AM

          “Moderation is a tough role even more so with what Satyam pays munna 😀”

          LOL! Though one could never pay Munna enough in any case…

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:10 AM

          Did not know munna is bill gates igcognito …

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 12:14 PM

          RE: “I think the Hindi or Tamil film most closely connected to Dil Se is Raavan/Raavanan. But this is also why I don’t like Roja at all. It’s too tame and too easy coming from Ratnam though it still has some of his nice trademark naturalistic moments. Dil Se is a strong revision of Roja at certain levels.”

          Excellent comment Satyam. I’d add that this was one of the aspects of Kaatru Veliyidai that disappointed me immensely, especially given Ratnam’s greater sensitivity on questions of gender. Here the film never really interrogates Karthik’s character’s stance vis-a-vis the heroine (Ratnam’s laconic style leaves the viewer with an ambiguity that is not productive or interesting), and she becomes very passive after she falls in love in a way that is quite common in other films, but is a huge come down from Ratnam’s own track record of presenting (especially bourgeois, educated, “domesticated”) women with a lot of kick-ass agency and drive (e.g. Simran in Kannathil Muthamittal, the patron saint of domestic goddesses everywhere; but even in OK Kanmani; perhaps Alai Payuthey, etc.)

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 2:08 PM

          I liked the film a lot more than you did but this is certainly a very fair critique.

          Like

      • Saket Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 7:03 AM

        Now is a good time to ask. Either the mods lay down the ground rules, LOUD & CLEAR, and follow through with due diligence, or just stop the pretence of being a prosaic forum where anything that deviates from the norm, ever so slightly, will be discarded.

        What is this place? Kindergarten? This is not what I signed up for 10 years ago!

        Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 7:07 AM

          Hard to have very precise rules. Some discretion is always part of the game. By the way the kinds of discussions most of us (including myself) have most of the time, about stars or films or whatever, we might as well be in kindergarten! Since going to kindergarten again isn’t an option we choose blogs as second-best! And we spend a part of our days getting excited about new trailers or whatever! Otherwise we’re confident, mature adults elsewhere in our lives!

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:00 AM

          Its kindergarten behavior to complain about edited/deleted comments. Most bloggers are hardly serious when commenting about stars or politics or BO or what have you here. And i know Naveen minds my jabs at him only as much as i mind his! Its poor sportsmanship to complain about moderation, no matter what games you are playing for time-pass.

          There will always be a big bro with a daanda. Suck it up and enjoy!

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:05 AM

          No, I don’t intend to suck it up.

          In my view, I’m not an irrational fan, an ideological nutcase or a blabbering idiot. I also don’t come here to troll people. Or to sort out personal agendas.

          Perhaps you do all of the above, and so you should follow your own advise and, with pleasure, suck it up!

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:08 AM

          You come across as someone who has lost it after losing out on debates. Your personal rant cannot define me or anyone else.

          Like

        • Saket Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:28 AM

          I normally don’t consider you worthy of a response but will add a teeny-tiny bit to re-center your off kilter balance.

          The first rule of debate is: don’t ever act as the arbiter. Let the people decide.

          And yeah, your responses define you more than anything else.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:13 AM

          In case if you get to the point of visiting a shrink, you may be surprised to know that every nutcase believes that they are not a nutcase or an idiot or irrational fanatics. Thats the first catch in most cases …

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:14 AM

          Yes I say that to my shrink all the time..

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:17 AM

          A legit shrink usually will acknowledge that almost everyone is a nutcase, except for most its a closet case. Normality is quite ‘abnormal’.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 9:25 AM

          ‘Normality’ is always an assumption, an ideal. You can never ever find an example of such.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 30, 2018 at 10:19 AM

          So are ur comments defining your off balance state. Stop ur personal ranting n get a grip.

          Like

  45. IdeaUnique Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 7:03 AM

    Rakhi Sawant in her inimitable, OTT style says what happened on that day….lol….she says TD had taken drugs on that day!!!

    Like

    • IdeaUnique Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 7:08 AM

      she gives the whole thing a political turn by bringing in aamchi maharashtra and aamchi maratha….now u can expect Shivsena et all to jump in this…..

      Like

    • munna Says:
      September 30, 2018 at 2:31 PM

      Race3 or whatever..My respect for her just gone up..She has good amount of clarity..Nothing controversial..she said what she knew or saw.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Swati Says:
        September 30, 2018 at 4:18 PM

        She just says she supports Tanushree without putting herself in controversy. Being on sets it and assitant choreographer whose job is to teach Tanushree her steps, she knows what happened but is not telling!!

        Liked by 1 person

    • Myselfaamir Says:
      October 1, 2018 at 11:28 AM

      This video is very very disturbing and horrific to watch!! She was lucky to have escaped unhurt and unharmed amid such a frenetic & mad situation although entirely manufactured and sponsored to create panic and fear. If this could happen to someone so known and famous like Tanushree Dutta in broad daylight, only God knows the extent & severity of such instances with mere mortals!! This case needs a thorough investigation to get to the root cause & set an example through a just & fair trial. (Though I’m fully aware of chances of my expectations getting fulfilled are next to improbable, yet hoping against the hope!!)

      Liked by 3 people

  49. sanjana Says:
    September 30, 2018 at 11:27 PM

    Media is using provocative words like Tanushree Dutta lashes out at so and so. She is merely expressing disappointment. This is how they make matters worse.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. tonymontana Says:
    October 1, 2018 at 2:51 AM

    If you guys think Chane ke khet mei was rock bottom, wait till you hear this. I give up here:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3RPPPrxpo2Y

    Like

  51. sanjana Says:
    October 1, 2018 at 6:43 AM

    https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/raveena-tandon-many-industry-wives-are-silent-observers-when-actor-husbands-destroy-actresses-careers-427552

    She also wrote, “The industry was and maybe is still a hero oriented where terms and conditions are dictated by super star male actors. But the slight shift is there for all to see. Much before my generation, in the 70’s some heroines were driven to paranoia and ultimately declare schizophrenics and written off. A gorgeous model actress was found dead after being labelled that and another beauty queen/model/actress was beaten up black and blue by a hero husband and his wife! She lost an eye and her career. In 90’s (my generation) the girls fought back but silently. If they spoke, either they were labelled pathological liars or as the macho heroes would show their bravado by threatening in the next glossy headline as how they would smash the girls face or bash her the next time they saw her or she spoke about them – whereas the girls would quietly pick up the pieces of their hearts and careers and try to let their work speak.”

    Liked by 3 people

  52. sanjana Says:
    October 1, 2018 at 7:01 AM

    Varun, who was present at the ninth Jagran Film Festival’s closing ceremony here on Sunday night, was asked to comment on Tanushree’s claim.

    He said: “I have been busy with ‘Sui Dhaaga‘, so I haven’t really heard the whole story, but I think what’s most important at a work place is respect — whether for a woman, man or a child. We want to make our industry a safe place and everyone deserves equal respect. Also if someone is openly talking about the issue, we should hear them out. It takes great courage to talk about it and I applaud that courage.”

    Varun was presented the Best Actor Award by Pooja Bhatt for “October” at the Jagran Film Festival awards night.

    Liked by 1 person

  53. sanjana Says:
    October 2, 2018 at 1:34 PM

    Tanushree Dutta case: We should start #MeTooIndia movement against sexual harassment, says Maneka Gandhi

    In light of Hollywood’s “Me too” movement, Maneka Gandhi said, “I feel we should also start something called ‘Me Too India’ in which any woman who has been harassed at any point can write to us and we would investigate.”

    https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maneka-gandhi-comes-in-support-of-tanushree-dutta-says-harassment-of-any-kind-will-not-be-tolerated-5383445/

    Like

  54. sanjana Says:
    October 3, 2018 at 2:09 AM

    No-win-no-lose is the situation Nana Patekar’s friends in the film industry find themselves in. They are damned if they speak up against him and damned if they don’t. It is being said in various corners of the film industry that Nana Patekar has been reaching out for support. Now, his friends who range from Anil Kapoor and John Abraham to N Chandra and Udhav Thackeray don’t know whether to avoid his calls or speak to him and extend their support.

    Says a well-informed source, “The industry is sharply polarized. One section feels Nana must be named and shamed. Another feels he’s not bad-hearted, just hot-tempered. For that, he can’t be sent to jail.”

    In the meanwhile, Nana has decided to tell his side of the story at a press conference where at least some of his powerful friends will speak up in his favour. While John Abraham, Mehul Kumar and N Chandra may defend Nana, Amitabh Bachchan and others from his ilk know nothing about what should be done to him.

    http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/nana-patekars-friends-caught-catch-22-situation/

    Like

  56. aamirsaurabh Says:
    October 3, 2018 at 5:24 AM

    Like

    • jayshah Says:
      October 3, 2018 at 6:30 AM

      I don’t subscribe to this opinion completely. It’s quite an extreme view to taint the industry like this let alone all of Indian society. Some of it has some truth to it. Indian society in my experience compared to other Asian cultures is not the worst. Thailand for example it’s not uncommon for families to send village girls to cities (forcefully) to earn money via prostitution. It is also quite common for man’s first foray into losing virginity to be these women rather than genuine relationships. This is very common stuff.

      This is not really a man Vs woman debate. It’s a case that simply is getting far too much publicity in wrong ways and actually doing the opposite of it’s intentions by doing so. Tanushree is turning this into a bit of a circus IMO.

      Do things properly, set an example…

      Liked by 1 person

      • sanjana Says:
        October 3, 2018 at 9:18 AM

        We should not feel elated that Thailand is worse. Our standard must be aiming at better examples. I think under the circumstances she chose this way as it gets immediate attention while court proceedings are expensive and time consuming.

        Liked by 2 people

  58. sanjana Says:
    October 3, 2018 at 7:06 AM

    In a fresh twist to the Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar row, after the former claimed to have received threats of a violent attack by Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena party, the political organisation seems to have also threatened the makers of reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ if the actress appears on it.

    A letter by the party has surfaced where they are threatening the ‘Bigg Boss 12’ makers with violence. In a letter addressed to the makers of the reality show, the party claims of action to be taken against the show.

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/mns-threatens-bigg-boss-with-violence-if-tanushree-dutta-enters-the-house/photostory/66053951.cms

    Like

  59. sanjana Says:
    October 3, 2018 at 7:09 AM

    In a fresh development, Tanushree Dutta in her latest statement has thanked the Mumbai police for offering her police protection in the wake of fresh threats she has received from Raj Thackeray’s MNS party. She said, “Raj Thackeray’s MNS party in an interview given to a leading daily has threatened me with a violent attack. This on top of other threats issued to me from Nana’s side. Amidst all this the Mumbai police has reached out and offered their support. They have promised me 24 hours police protection and have posted their armed personnel around my home. I would like to thank the Mumbai police force for coming forward to protect me and helping me strengthen my resolve.”

    Liked by 1 person

  60. sanjana Says:
    October 3, 2018 at 7:22 AM

    My solution. Nana and Tanu should star in a movie and it will be a small hit considering the present situation. It will be difficult for them but they can act as actors.
    Or Tanu should shift to West Bengal and she may get roles in bengali films. Mainly character roles.
    Or Nana can become a buddhist monk and both of them can work in a monastery in the himalayas.
    My vote is for the third option.

    Like

  61. sanjana Says:
    October 4, 2018 at 12:25 AM

    How does CINTAA address the sexual harassment complaints?

    First and foremost, we advise the member to file a police complaint in the matter. But often the victims refrain from legal recourse. In that case we step in and arbitrate via the producers’ body as all such cases are to be brought to the notice of the producer in charge of the project that the victim is part of. For instance, last year, we had a case where an actor said she was narrated a script she was happy to work on but when she arrived on the sets, the script seemed vastly different. She was asked to perform certain intimate scenes that she was uncomfortable with. The set was in an isolated spot and dominated by male crew. She shot certain portions but approached us as soon as she returned from the shoot. The actor was unwilling to take the matter to the police, fearing it may result in her family barring her from acting. We called a joint meeting with the producer and ensured all footage objectionable to the actor was deleted from their system.

    Does the committee looking into the case often face pressure from the end of the predator if he or she is powerful?

    I will be honest, we don’t receive any complaints against the powerful names. I suppose it again boils down to the fear of losing work and the pressure they may be under. But I will add that the committee also comprises of actors, who probably face the same fears when dealing with a sexual harassment complain against a powerful person. Also, it has happened in the past that the committee has stood by the victim but the victim, under pressure, has withdrawn the complaint, leaving the committee members in bad books of the powerful predator. While this happens, I won’t say it is the right thing to do. We hope to fix this.

    https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/ill-be-honest-we-dont-receive-any-complaints-against-powerful-names-says-sushant-singh-5385292/

    Like

  62. munna Says:
    October 4, 2018 at 12:27 PM

    Looks like opposition is on offensive, Video of shoot:

    Like

  63. Swati Says:
    October 4, 2018 at 2:06 PM

    here is 200 th comment.

    Like

  64. sanjana Says:
    October 4, 2018 at 2:14 PM

    Poor tanu. All the males are ganging up against her. Hope she fights them and comes out victorious.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 5, 2018 at 9:41 AM

      Yes have been following this — there is also the broader question IMO of “bro culture” in comedy (in India and elsewhere), even where people are congratulating themselves on being all progressive …

      Like

      • Latha Says:
        October 5, 2018 at 10:49 AM

        At least they have been prompt inremoving all the videos and also apologising for thier inaction.Bollywood is still deciding 🤔

        Liked by 2 people

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 5, 2018 at 10:55 AM

          That is true — the reaction from AIB has been swift, and even earlier they had acknowledged being a little male-centric and wanting to be more inclusive… this was unconnected to the harassment thing …

          Like

        • Bliss Says:
          October 5, 2018 at 11:17 AM

          yes very very swift when tanmay was knowing of said harrasment for years. Drop videos when caught with pants down and echo chamber will come 2 rescue

          Like

  68. Bliss Says:
    October 5, 2018 at 11:30 AM

    Check her tl : From editors 2 HC judge

    Like

  70. Master Says:
    October 6, 2018 at 11:00 PM

    Nana’s interview about this incident way back in 2008.

    Like

  71. Bliss Says:
    October 7, 2018 at 12:32 PM

    100 so far whose names exposed and now wire founder

    https://twitter.com/domeofthedevil/status/1048854890217259008

    Like

  72. Bliss Says:
    October 7, 2018 at 12:53 PM

    ‘Liberals’ are soo good 2 pontificate and preaching as here
    Exhibit

    https://twitter.com/indiantweeter/status/1048976599620755457

    Like

  74. Swati Says:
    October 7, 2018 at 1:43 PM

    Dark Underbelly of Indian Media Revealed as Scores of Journalists Say #MeToo
    https://thewire.in/women/indian-media-metoo

    Like

    • Bliss Says:
      October 7, 2018 at 1:54 PM

      Irony died thousand times 🙂
      Wire co-founder is now in allegations

      Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        October 7, 2018 at 1:57 PM

        Massive reckoning underway — of course one field we rarely will hear about this is politics: as the Sena support for Nana shows, marna kisko hai?

        Like

        • Bliss Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:02 PM

          that will also crumble but for fear.
          Famous case of ndv journalist Sunentra C and alleged molestation b Jairam Ramesh and how ndtv forced her not to complain and live with it. And same ndtv preaches so loud 🙂
          DNA gave her piece 2 write.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:07 PM

          One of my cousins’ spouse saw and heard some pretty awful stuff while a journalist for someone who is one of the most powerful journalists in the country today (and close to the ruling party). Both gender-based and non-gender based misconduct. But yeah it takes a lot to take on the powerful, especially in politics where we know many of our leaders are already ok with murder.

          Like

        • Bliss Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:37 PM

          In politics, retribution will be swift and knock out – Life, career and economically. All Pol leaders across ideologies belong 2 same bucket here. Everyone know others secrets Ala MAD rule comes in2 effect 🙂
          Ques is, “who will bell the cat?” ..
          First ( small step) for that person and giant leap for humankind.

          Liked by 2 people

        • Bliss Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:44 PM

          I expect MJ’s name 2 be outed 🙂

          Like

        • Bliss Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:57 PM

          Someone outed MJ. Read abt him being legendary womaniser and pervert long long back, ESP as editor of telegraph 🙂

          https://twitter.com/Edit_Err/status/1048999914401931270

          Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 4:09 PM

        Like

  75. Bliss Says:
    October 7, 2018 at 1:57 PM

    Rare!
    Read the full article. I am disgusted. You enabled this scum for three and a half years, you don’t get to be a Hero now by saying you’ve shut Phantom because of this. Bullshit. And I don’t care whether anyone gives me work after this or not. फ- off.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 7, 2018 at 1:58 PM

      Apparently Ghaywan has also come out with a good statement / mea culpa. As an aside, most of this soul-searching etc will only occur in the liberal circles: the more traditional will say “they were asking for it”, and I certainly don’t expect the captains of industry and politics in our country (the sorts of people who have committed pogroms, hob-nobbed with godmen who are rapists, supported lynchers, to suddenly find their conscience on this issue).

      Like

      • Bliss Says:
        October 7, 2018 at 2:12 PM

        As modified adage goes – Show me a liberal, I’ll show u a hypocrite 🙂

        Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:15 PM

          This is uncalled for— this problem and mindset crosses ideologies, and there is no way it is MORE associated with one ideology versus another. If you think ILliberal men in India are less likely to be engaging in this kind of behavior, I guess you have been asleep during the allegations against Vivek Agnihotri.

          Like

        • Bliss Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:28 PM

          No I am not asleep. U won’t find me defending him, or even posting his side of stor or his AD’s fb post. I don’t defend. No ideology but principle, but here I have seen ppl defending AIB, AK and finding sincerity and genuineness and what not.
          Either allegations are true or just false. No sides but when I see when it’s Agnihotri, some ppl labelled as Modi bhakt. RW ideology etc… I still didn’t defend Agnihotri but when names of liberals came out, fulltime defending start taking place and I am here 2 show ppl that we are all Hypocrites. I am here 2 watch urs 🙂

          I stand what i said – Show me a liberal, I’ll show u a hypocrite.
          …. exist here also.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Swati Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:52 PM

          Oppose Vivek Agnihotri. Support Anuraag Kashyap. Oppose Kangana Ranaut. Support Chetan Bhagat, Vikas Bahl. Kuch Bhi kya liberals of this blog. Can’t speak from both ends of the mouth now?

          Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 7, 2018 at 2:59 PM

          Who has opposed Kangana? Most here took her side against Hrithik (it’s a separate question that I disagree with her comments on cow protection etc., but that is a completely different story). One can’t say because ABC was wrong on x then he must have been wrong on y as well — it doesn’t follow. Similarly I stand with Kangana on her complaints about nepotism in the industry and gender bias etc. — but she is completely wrong in (eg) her Sadguru interview. The problem is that for many there is no form of discussion or discourse apart from “what aboutery”.

          Same goes for AIB: brilliant satire, political as well as non-political — but they have a gender issue, and should be called out on that. But why wouldn’t I support a whole other body of work, including instances (the video with Kangana, the one with Irrfan) where they have brilliantly spoofed Bollywood sexism ? This sort of “agni pariksha” is often intended to silence and de-legitimize, rather than advance the cause of gender equity.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Myselfaamir Says:
      October 7, 2018 at 5:32 PM

      Like

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 2:39 AM

      Nice summation!

      Like

    • Swati Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 9:19 AM

      creepy unclejis force hugs in parties. I have tried hard to avoid. Some caress back while hugging!!! One tried kiss once. Some are relatives. unless I go and greet everyone with ninja position. I have adopted a firm unfashionable namaste position now. And creepy boss harassed for years till I quit job. Life of a woman 😦

      Liked by 1 person

  79. sanjana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 2:51 AM

    http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/tanushree-dutta-nana-patekar-controversy-actress-lawyer-warns-move-high-court-fir-not-registered/

    Tanushree Dutta – Nana Patekar controversy: Actress’ lawyer warns to move High Court if her FIR is not registered
    ByBollywood Hungama News NetworkOct 8, 2018 – 10:58 am IST

    Like

    • jayshah Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 4:10 AM

      Can assume this guy is finished. Even more disgusting that he pretends to be drunk and indirectly accuses the female of making the move. What a nasty piece of work.

      Like

  82. sanjana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 4:23 AM

    Actor Rajat Kapoor is the latest film industry member to be called out for alleged sexual harassment on Twitter with two women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour and has apologised for ‘having slipped.’ The accounts were sent to journalist Sandhya Menon, who has been posting #MeToo stories of her own and some sent to her by women who do not want to be identified. One, a journalist, details a telephonic interview in which Mr Kapoor allegedly asked her if she was “as sexy as (she) sounds” and “tell me your vital stats.” The second, an assistant director, reveals that the actor allegedly asked her to shoot with him in an empty house and would call her incessantly from actor Saurabh Shukla’s phone.
    On Twitter, Rajat Kapoor posted this: “All my life I have tried to be a decent man, to do the right thing. If however, I have slipped and through my actions or words caused pain or hurt or trauma to absolutely anybody, please accept my apology. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart – and sad that I was the cause of this hurt to another human being. If there is one thing more important to me than even my work, it is to be a good human being. And I have tried to be that person. And now, I will try harder.”

    Here’s what Rajat Kapoor, who is a familiar face from films such as Monsoon Wedding and Kapoor And Sons, tweeted:

    https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/actor-rajat-kapoor-accused-of-harassing-2-women-apologises-for-causing-pain-hurt-trauma-1928495?pfrom=home-topstories

    Like

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 4:30 AM

      One of my favourite actors. Cant believe. OMG!
      Who will be the next?
      Soon film industry will be empty and finished. Boi will cry.

      Like

  83. Preet singh Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 5:05 AM

    Nothing can happen on ground level in india. This movement has failed on reality level. Such abusers should be penalized. But instead are apologizing on media platforms.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Latha Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 7:00 AM

      AIB is into film production and the films were to premier at MAMI this week. MAMI cancels scheduled press conference today

      Like

  85. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:09 AM

    lyricist Vairamuthu

    Like

  86. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:20 AM

    As we knew and feared !

    Institutional push back against #MeToo has started. Testimonials by media hacks / relatives of politicians started. Clean chits are arriving.

    Like for Wire co-founder SB …

    Like

  87. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:23 AM

    One more down
    @prashantktm has stepped down as Chief of Bureau and Political Editor at @htTweets, with immediate effect.

    https://twitter.com/AnooBhu/status/1049258288943157248

    Like

  88. sanjana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:28 AM

    “Kailash Kher Said To Me Tum Meri Pagli Ho, Meri Jogi Ho”: A Fan Comes Up With Another #MeToo Story
    Rejoiced fan girl, gave her number and conversation started between them. But something unusual happened which exposed singer’s dirty side.

    https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/kailash-kher-said-to-me-tum-meri-pagli-ho-meri-jogi-ho-a-fan-comes-up-with-another-metoo-story/

    Like

  89. jayshah Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:44 AM

    I am sure the cases will multiply. But what I would say is it’s very difficult to determine whom to take seriously, what to believe, why now, is it flavour of the month or were victims waiting for the courage of few others to speak first, how much is truth & how much made up (for various different reasons) etc.

    I am 100% on the side of victims but also would prefer law cases than media led accusations. I just think there is a better way to get justice.

    Liked by 1 person

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 7:50 AM

      Do you think Salman and Aamir along with Ajay Devgn maybe the next ? Sleepless nights for many heroes and others too.

      Like

      • jayshah Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 7:53 AM

        I honestly don’t care until something official happens. It’s too much ‘she said’ Vs ‘he said’ stuff with my heart leaning towards the female as my instinct suggests no smoke without fire but my brain says ‘use your brains people and go to court’. I’m quickly losing interest in it as the allegations are so severe but the method of accusations so lazy and media driven.

        Like

      • LS Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 11:16 PM

        Why name two Khans and leave out the third? What is this a lynch mob session, that men should sit scared? If your conscience is clear, you have nothing to fear. BTW, consensual h relationships cannot come under this Me Too ambit.

        Like

        • sanjana Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 11:28 PM

          The reason I named them is that they are targetted more than Srk in these matters. Even consensual is not waterproof unless it is legally registered! What is consensual today may not be so tomorrow. Example is marital rape.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 11:32 PM

          Marital rape was never consensual — it is just not recognized as a crime everywhere, which is different.

          Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 7:51 AM

      I think it’s difficult to rely on the law because a lot of the conduct alleged is not necessarily illegal. A lot obviously is… and there are questions about lapse of time/ statute of limitations (not sure if this applies to this sort of thing in India) / problems of evidence.

      Liked by 1 person

      • jayshah Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 7:56 AM

        Qalander – what is actually being achieved here in your opinion? What’s the end goal for Tanushree etc and is she any closer today than a week or 10 years ago to achieving it? I’m baffled but of course I’ve not lived in India so have little knowledge of the system or ‘lack’ of.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:01 AM

          It’s actually pretty similar IMO all over the world: the system, law etc has failed a lot of people, so now, with social media, people have the ability to fight back any way they can (you can’t stop me from making an allegation on Twitter!). So I think we can’t underestimate the catharsis and release that people get from finally telling their story and realizing they are not alone. Of course as with any movement there will be some silliness (I’ve seen examples of people essentially complaining about bad dates) but that should not distract us IMO from the wider conversation that is happening and needs to happen around what has been happening and what needs to happen going forward…

          Liked by 1 person

        • jayshah Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:08 AM

          Social media just gives the whole thing an element of casualness. It’s like if you want to get married you don’t go to Tinder 😀 or a nightclub (in general). This is beyond conversation.

          Of course conversation on how to treat people in general is the wider debate here – consent etc but the individual cases here are really not achieving anything beyond ‘she said’, ‘he said’ stuff. As an industry, the film industry should do something together. I cannot believe father’s like SRK or Aamir or Big B wouldn’t support a group to raise grievances as a first point of call.

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:13 AM

          The other point is. What if an allegation is not true? Isn’t an innocent person’s livelihood tarnished? Say it’s a big CEO? And shares fall massively but wrongly accused. No one knows the truth except 2-3 people in connection with the situation. It needs some seriousness attached to it.

          Naming and shaming works in certain situations. Like workplace when a person in a team continuely ruins it for others. In a harassment case without law it’s very dangerous IMO.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:17 AM

          It’s unlikely it’s untrue, for the reasons I have stated elsewhere in this thread. The bigger risk is amidst serious allegations some stuff that doesn’t rise to the level shows up and everything gets lost in the mush. But pure fabrication, while possible, is quite unlikely IMO

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:22 AM

          I’m sure there is no smoke without fire.

          But let’s play devils advocate. Let’s say a big public figure is INNOCENT. He is so traumatized and his family wash their hands of him. He kills himself as no one believes him.

          What then?

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:26 AM

          Maybe there is 1 man like this for every 1000 women. But I don’t decide this.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:34 AM

          In India the complainer is more likely to commit suicide. We are a country who routinely support and elect murderers, lynchers, pogrom planners, and rapists.

          Liked by 1 person

        • jayshah Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:47 AM

          In any country, man is more likely to commit any crime than woman. Likely is not law. I would like these women to lobby in the courts. Strip the guilty parties to their bare bones. Chop there manhood off whatever. In fact if it were up to me that should be the punishment for a man. Trust me less of this stuff would happen pretty quickly!

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 9:29 AM

          Uhhhhh, I’m glad it isn’t up to you buddy! Kidding aside, it’s why I also opposed the government proposals for death penalty for rape: if you do that you will end up with a lot more dead rape victims!

          Like

        • sanjana Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 8:30 AM

          This is the problem with social media and media trial. That is why we have provision to file a defamation case against an individual, an organisation and media. Suicide rarely happens. Family supports them when the entire world goes against them. Hillary Clinton stood by her husband like a typical bharatiya nari.

          Liked by 1 person

        • Preet singh Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 10:08 AM

          Qalandar[- In Usa people have been prosecuted after going to the court. But here, most of the people are remaining to be anonymous and blaming and shaming on media platforms and and are getting off by merely an apology. Means they have no trust in the judiciary of india.

          Like

        • Qalandar Says:
          October 8, 2018 at 10:09 AM

          Even in the USA, except for very few examples (eg Weinstein) no one has been prosecuted…

          Like

    • Bliss Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 7:52 AM

      Agree. We don’t either ‘victim’ or ‘abuser’ . Law is the best course but in India law is so skewed and one sided and influential and powerful ppl can skew it for decades.
      Look at tejpal even a fast track court trail is delayed
      Anurag K defended tejpal 😛

      As I said above Institutional push back against #MeToo has started. Testimonials by media hacks / relatives of politicians started. Clean chits are arriving and also 2 smear the campaign also started…

      Like

  90. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 7:55 AM

    We will see apology, suspension until further notice from all around till it dies down on social media and all we beck 2 old positions…
    All is smoke here unless punished if wrong.

    Like

  91. sanjana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 8:04 AM

    Tejpal was punished with immediate arrest and his reputation gone to dogs. I went through that case carefully. It was disgusting. Any sexual assault or insult is disgusting. If Salman can escape all the charges these vague, time barred charges will not stand in a court of law. Only way is to name and shame them. Whether one believes them or not. Some mud will stick. Shiney Ahuja went to jail. Many old filmi molestors died and we know them. Go through Star and Style old issues and Devi’s Frankly Speaking if you have the patience.

    Liked by 1 person

  92. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 8:06 AM

    Like

  93. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 8:14 AM

    Kailash Kher

    Like

  94. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 8:27 AM

    Dale rape 😦 ?

    Like

  95. Preet singh Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 8:34 AM

    Jayshah- Sexual harassment isnt as severe off a crime as rape in india. Most of the stories on social media are pertaining to harassmentt or misconduct. Sec (354) A deals of sexual harrasement- Any person can get bail on the spot pertaining to this. And nana patekar and many others, have been accused of this only+(509). Means even if tanushree proves it in court. Still patekar and others can get bail the very next minute from district court. Unlike in tejpal case, the charges agaisnt him are rape+assault. For that it takes time to get bail and gettingt your bail rejected many times.

    Liked by 1 person

    • jayshah Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 8:37 AM

      Thanks for that and Qalander. I am at a disadvantage to add anything here but that helps.

      Like

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 8:51 AM

      Tanushree named dance director Ganesh acharya too. And it is also about goons being sent to harass and intimidate her and her family members. Each case about these ladies is different.

      Like

      • Qalandar Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 9:28 AM

        Yes, in Tanushree’s case there are threats of violence and actual violence and intimidation in public view with witnesses — this is a very different scenario from many others

        Like

      • Preet singh Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 9:53 AM

        Sanjana- Yes, she only filed FIR after the mns, film director and nana filed defamation charges against her. Problem is she doesnt have alibi to back up the claims. There is a journalist and AD. Both of them heard the stories from tanushree or made assumptions. In court, if you only have heard from someone else. It is not a strong ground to get someone punished. As court believes in, if you have seen it from your eyes. Surely, every other case among other ladies must be different. But in the end only 2 charges can be framed and that is 354 a or 509. Unless it is a rape charge, that is a more heinous crime.

        Like

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 8:53 AM

      Surely they will get bail but they will be careful in future. And they are not young any more.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks Preet, this is very helpful. I’ll add that sexual harassment is even less legally assured in the USA, where conduct has to rise to the level of a hostile work environment— very very difficult to make a case out of this. That also means that people are pretty unlikely to make false allegations, as who is going to want to have their personal life dragged through the muck for very little chance of legal redress?

      Like

  97. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 9:06 AM

    As I told Qalandar, MJ will be next 🙂

    Dear Male Boss,

    You taught me my first workplace lesson. I was 23, you were 43. I grew up reading your smart opinions and dreamt of being as erudite as you. You were one of my professional heroes. Everyone said you had transformed Indian journalism and I wanted to be on your team. So, we set a time you could interview me at the plush south Mumbai hotel where you always stayed.

    https://www.vogue.in/content/harvey-weinsteins-open-letter-sexual-harassment/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

    Like

  98. Latha Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 9:14 AM

    This media circus is becoming too much. I am afraid this is going to triviallise the whole issue. People will get away with apologies. Well connected persons will take a break and join some other organisation. Real stories will not get heard in all this noise.

    Liked by 1 person

  99. Latha Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 9:16 AM

    If te public really cared they would not be so forgiving of Salman and Sanjay Dutt who have treated women the worst

    Like

  100. Preet singh Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 10:04 AM

    In a letter, Dutta said that she lodged her complaint for the registration of FIR under Sections 354, 354 (A), Section 34 and Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She further said before shooting the song, which was supposed to be a solo song picturised only on her, she had clearly mentioned that she will not enact or perform any lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps.

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/if-action-is-not-taken-on-tanushree-dutta-s-police-complaint-we-will-approach-hc-says-her-lawyer/story-TywYZwC0H8AXiUvdnoslvO.html

    Like

  101. tonymontana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 10:30 AM

    Okay, well, my comment might be the odd one here, but aren’t the men at a disadvantage here? How do we cross check the supposed “facts” here? And in case a woman wants to get even with a man and wants to get back for something, all she needs is a tweet to the concerned person! Who’s crosschecking, except shaming the person and possibly ruining his life?

    I don’t deny at all that it’s brave of women to be talking about it, and I do support them fully. But this might also hive rise to a very dangerous trend.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bliss Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 10:37 AM

      “men at a disadvantage”

      Agree : Public perception, Laws are highly tilted 2 other side ( not gender fair) and eas punching bag and Men do indulge in such acts. U r good as long as not caught.

      Liked by 1 person

    • sanjana Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 10:39 AM

      There will always be collateral damage. The man wrongly blamed can fight and hope for the best. Defamation case comes to the rescue which will make the other party to withdraw the complaint or go ahead with it according to the strength and truth of the case.

      Like

      • tonymontana Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 10:43 AM

        IN SUCh a case, the women must be encoraged to not delete whatsapp/facebook conversations or record such acts by men. These would act as solid proofs

        Like

  103. Master Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 11:54 AM

    Bollywood is trying to follow the #Metoo movement a-la Harvey but none of the cases so far are actually rape, the closest and gravest is Vikas’s case which is huge deal in India. I hope he gets punished but I also believe that its silly to get every other case pumped by media for a text message harassment, verbal harassment etc. Nana’s case is nothing really he didn’t even kiss/rape or physically assaulted the victim. Maybe he was trying to cozy in front of 100 people and actress left the shoot. I don’t believe that case as it is but Vikas’s case is clear cut. Even his own partners are calling him sexual predator then its done deal .

    If folks remember few years down the lane when Shakti Kapoor’s case was in the news, Aman Verma had same allegation and then Bollywood and specially Salman has supported him openly via open conference.

    http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/18aman.htm

    Like

  104. Bliss Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 12:33 PM

    Sankari Alok nath

    Babuji My ass. This is so terrifying. How must she have dealt with this alone in the bloody 90’s. Thank god for social media

    https://twitter.com/MallikaDua/status/1049329744993570816

    Liked by 2 people

  106. Saket Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 2:45 PM

    Amidst all this brouhaha, not one politician in India has been named and shamed.

    We seem to have the most sanskari politicians in the world.

    /sarcasm

    Liked by 1 person

  107. Master Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 2:49 PM

    The more Tanushree opens her mouth, the more dumb she sounds. She should just shut up and let real issues come onto foreground.

    Few of her lines..

    – When I say I was robbed, everyone is ready to believe but when I say Nana Patekar has abused me, why is not everyone ready to believe? (Coz… its not equal comparision.. it involves another person and his standing in the society.. if you want equal comparison with robber, then.. people will still not believe if you say that Nana patekar has robbed a necklace from you and think how it sounds)

    – How can Nana file a defamation case against me? When I was the victim. (Yes, TD – one can file. If you don’t file a complainint and just keep giving interviews to media then anyone can/will file defamation case).

    – My bollywood career has suffered coz of Nana and this group. I lost out to 100 movies! (well.. none of them in the group are so powerful to end your career).

    This is assistant director comment about Vivek Agnihotri comment to Tanushree to remove clothes and dance (which is not believable in first place.. they were not shooting a porn movie).

    The assistant director of Chocolate, Sattyajit Gazmer, has also turned down Tanushree’s claims. He has shared his version of the incident in an elaborate post on his Facebook page. In the particular scene “When we called Tanushree she did her rehearsals in the bathrobe. When the Dance Director Remo got ready for the shot one of my assistants asked her to take off the bathrobe. She asked why should she if it’s Irfan’s Close up. The assistant tried to explain to her but she didn’t understand that she was in OS (Over the shoulder) shot of another camera. Then I was called and I explained to her. She didn’t understand that in multiple camera set up the main camera can be on someone’s close but other cameras were shooting her. I asked to take off her bathrobe and shoot in film costume which she was anyways wearing under the bathrobe. It is beyond my imagination that can anyone ever ask an actress to strip on a film set where 200 people are standing. In fact Suneil sir sarcastically asked if he can give the cue. What was actually a jibe in good spirit by Suneil sir is being used as if there was something wrong with our command.”

    Best point about Tanushree is that she started this #Metoo movement in India and kudos her for that but I don’t think her case will succeed.

    So far, I see Vikas Bahl and Alok Nath cases to be trustworthy and both should be punished if the victim files complaint.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 8, 2018 at 4:38 PM

      Re: “This is assistant director comment about Vivek Agnihotri comment to Tanushree to remove clothes and dance (which is not believable in first place.. they were not shooting a porn movie).”

      What on earth makes you think this isn’t believable? According to you, an abuser thinks logically about the genre of film he is making before making such a comment? By this logic, no one in India would ever say “maaderch______” because hey, it’s extremely unlikely the target of this curse has in fact copulated with his mother. The fact is, no one says “kapde utaar ke naach” because they are asking anyone to strip — they say it to insult and humiliate, to “put someone in his or her place.”

      Like

      • Master Says:
        October 8, 2018 at 11:14 PM

        “The fact is, no one says “kapde utaar ke naach” because they are asking anyone to strip — they say it to insult and humiliate, to “put someone in his or her place.” ”

        Totally get it. But if you look at the context provided by the assistant, Tanushree was covering his skimpy dress with a bathrobe and giving the take as it was close up of Irrfan. Tanushree didn’t feel to remove the bathrobe as she won’t be in the shot and then director shouted ‘kapde utar ke naach’ and then assistant director ran and explained the situation why its necessary. So, its all out there. I don’t think its about showing someone’s place but people talk crass all the time and especially angry. Even Bhansali talks crap to his actors. But that is different than serious sexual abuses. I hope we are not going to the level of someone abused verbally and called her bitch, etc when angry etc so, on. We are talking about serious allegations here.

        Tanushree did whole fillm with Vivek Agnihotri and during that 100 days she found this the worst behavior then it doesn’t warrant the seriousness.

        Liked by 1 person

        • jayshah Says:
          October 9, 2018 at 4:06 AM

          I see this in the workplace a lot. It’s definitely a cultural thing. Indians in senior positions on the phone to an offshore Indian team speaking in Hindi swearing/cursing whatever because they have a sense of power over their team and can get away with it – not having the guts to say it in English so that the rest of the office can understand. In reality if that offshore team was Eastern European they would not behave this way.

          The roads are another thing. The way some Africans or Indians drive here – jeez I lose my rag pretty easily. Proper road rage. I’ll probably end up stereotyping and end up in hot water if I say what I want to say. But jeez, we have lanes here & road etiquette!

          The cinema’s! Jeez Indians bring the whole picnic and stink out the joint! Kids, big families! LOL!

          Like

  109. sanjana Says:
    October 8, 2018 at 11:56 PM

    Tanushree may or may not win the case. But she will be remembered for bringing all this out in the open and make others to do so and somewhat succeeded in making the world a better place for the women in her own way. Atleast it started a sort of movement for women to express and get it off their chests. In the process we got to know about other men who use foul language, intimidatory tactics apart from molestation. If a person can be prosecuted for making derogatory comments on a dalit why cannot women have the same right to prosecute the verbal abusers? Those who are trying to dilute Tanushree’s allegations have failed to see the bigger picture where women are routinely abused whether it is in offices, public transport or at events. By reducing it to actual rape, the larger issue is getting deliberately ignored. The larger issue here is the uneven playing field for the women in general.
    Yes, we have fathers, brothers, husbands, sons and other male relatives who may also feel the heat. But it cant be helped.

    Liked by 1 person

  110. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 12:45 AM

    Like

  112. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 1:04 AM

    http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/widespread-fear-panic-film-industry-sexual-harassment-allegations/

    Widespread fear and panic in the film industry over Sexual Harassment allegations
    BySubhash K. JhaOct 9, 2018 – 10:12 am IST

    Who will be named next? This is the fear that grips many big-name personalities in Bollywood as more and more people are being named and shamed in the social media.

    A prominent producer-director expressed the collective fear of the industry to me when he said, “You never know who will be named next, and for what reason. I can’t recall a single instance of misbehavior with any woman in my entire career of 40 years. I’ve always ensured I was correct in my conduct. But how do we when somebody would come forward to say something about my behaviour that I have no recollection about?”

    Several top-name filmmakers have asked their office for CCTV footage of their interaction with actresses, “Just in case…I mean, I meet so many women in my office who come asking for work. What if one of them turns around to say I misbehaved with her?” says a filmmaker.

    An immediate fall-out of the current atmosphere of naming and shaming would be a further reduction of direct interaction between filmmakers and actors.

    “All the casting-auditions would now be done by casting agents,” says a filmmaker.

    But, who will protect these casting agents from the wrath of embittered vengeful star aspirants who have nothing to lose by naming and shaming people in positions of power for wrongs imagined or otherwise?

    Liked by 2 people

  113. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 1:10 AM

    Tanushree Dutta is NOT the only actor Nana Patekar has rubbed the wrong way
    BySubhash K. JhaOct 9, 2018 – 10:14 am IST

    Nana Patekar has the reputation of being temperamental. And now when his rather rough attitude has got him into deep trouble, I remember how he had warred with Bollywood’s most halcyon star in our film industry.

    We are talking about none other than Akshay Kumar. Perhaps, the only open fight Akshay ever had was with Nana while shooting for Anees Bazmi’s Welcome. Eyewitnesses say the fracas flew into a furious argument over some dance steps.

    Incidentally, after I put Tanushree Dutta’s story out, Nana Patekar stopped talking to me for a decade. Recently, when I rang him up to congratulate him on his performance is Natsamrat, he very clearly told me he would speak to me only if I apologized to him first.

    “I know who put you up to this,” he growled.

    Sounds familiar? We now have Tanushree Dutta coming forward to narrate her horrific experience with the mercurial Nana over some absurd dance steps for a film suggestively titled Horn Ok Pleassss. Now suddenly, everyone associated within this shelved a never-released film, including the obscure director and the not-so-obscure choreographer and assistant director, has a voice.

    Speaking of the podgy choreographer of this hideous non-happening film, he is known to ask chorus dancers to compromise. “Aisa hota hai iss industry mein….Compromise karna padhta hai….Sona padhta hai,” the senior-most choreographer of Bollywood had once shouted into my burning ears. I didn’t have the guts to ask her if she had to do it too.

    I suspected, I knew the answer.

    A heroine of Nana Patekar’s and a dear friend of mine who did one film with him says, “Nana gets very physical when he is working. It doesn’t matter whether the co-star male or female. He just gets very aggressive. He tried it with me too. I warned him. He stopped.”

    Apparently, Manisha Koirala, who had a short but wild relationship with Nana when they were shooting for Agni Sakshi, was at the receiving end of Nana’s abusive behaviour. Nana didn’t hide his abusive behaviour. He did it in public.

    “Of course, Nana doesn’t think it is abusive. It’s all a part of a day’s work. When you are shooting, it is perfectly normal for him to pull his co-star’s hand, push the co-star, and so on. Until five years ago, this was acceptable behaviour. Today, it is a criminal offence,” says a co-star of Nana who has worked more than once with him.

    Actors who protest against such “dedicated” shooting tactics find themselves ostracized. Tanushree Dutta hasn’t been seen much on screen since that chilling encounter with Nana.

    And what about poor Sabeeha, daughter of the veteran actress Amita, who just vanished after she protested strongly against the superstar Rajesh Khanna’s behaviour on the sets of a film called Anokha Rishta. When 15-year old Sabeeha wouldn’t “co-operate”, Khanna and the film’s director I V Sasi got together to harass the hell out of the poor girl. Khanna allegedly made unmentionable comments that in today’s volatile atmosphere of gender touchiness would definitely have landed him in jail.

    But, big actors in Bollywood and specially in the South Indian film industry were known to openly and proudly heckle/ evetease/ proposition their heroines on the sets of their films as the hangers-on cheered them on.

    Be careful whom or what you are applauding in public. Yesterday’s prank is today’s prison cell.

    http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/tanushree-dutta-not-actor-nana-patekar-rubbed-wrong-way/

    Like

    • NyKavi Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 7:31 AM

      That Sabeeha case was indeed shameful.
      In a scene where he was lying in bed with her, Kaka Khanna said stuff like “nariyal phod dein” to the crew, presumably hinting at her virginity! The whole crew laughed and enjoyed at the poor 15 yr old girl’s expense during the shoot. All of this got published in a magazine back in the late 80s, but nothing ever happened to Kaka Khanna.
      Wudnt be surprised if every male star/superstar has had such skeletons in their closets.

      Like

  115. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 1:27 AM

    What if innocent men are targetted?

    The accuser should pay hefty damages or go to jail.

    Liked by 1 person

  116. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 1:31 AM

    Rajat Kapoor and AIB’s films dropped from 20th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
    In the wake of the #MeToo tide, the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) has dropped AIB’s Chintu Ka Birthday and Rajat Kapoor’s Kadakh from the lineup of the upcoming 20th edition of MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
    By: Express Web Desk | Mumbai | Published: October 9, 2018 10:36:03 am

    Liked by 1 person

  119. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 3:34 AM

    “The hypocrisy in Bollywood/Corporate/Media is so damn alarming..the people who speak now against sexual offenders knew these predators and there behaviour all along..now that it’s out in the open..taking high moral grounds..so basically if it’s out in the open condemn it else”

    – tweet

    Like

    • Bliss Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 3:40 AM

      More than d sexual offenders it’s these ppl who r d real problem..when it suits them protect the offender..when it suits them crucify the offender.

      Fair and I said same.

      Like

  120. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 3:50 AM

    They are damned if they dont condemn and they are damned if they condemn. The victim should herself come out openly like tanushree did irrespective of consequences. All the offenders have their supporters and the public sab janti hai. No one can fool the public. The expectations from the educated and the seemingly enlightened will be more and they will be taken to the laundry if they hesitate to do so in time. Let us see aage aage kya ho sakta hai.

    Like

  122. aamirsaurabh Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:01 AM

    Wolves in the garb of Sheep.Shameless Alok Nath.

    Like

  124. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:19 AM

    thread on Phantom and AK and big hypocrisy. He was enabler and sheltering a predator till i suited him.

    Like

  126. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:25 AM

    Now Varun Grover

    Like

  127. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:38 AM

    I watched last season’s bigboss. Shilpa Shinde and Vikas gupta were at loggerheads when they entered the house. Then they became best friends! Those who supported one of them did not know how to cope with the changed equation! Tomorrow the same thing may happen with the current ones! Bigboss can make friends out of enemies and enemies out of friends.

    Like

  128. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:49 AM

    Scroll up and read this thread. 3 key takeaways:
    1. Barkha Dutt jumps in only to get exposed. She and Pranoy were informed about the harassment but did nothing.
    2. It’s 2018, and NDTV claims it’s still investigating 2014 case.
    3. People are normalizing the delay by thanking NDTV.

    ps: Same happens here 🙂

    Like

  129. jayshah Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 4:55 AM

    This is already chaos. It will not last long IMO. People will get bored, I already am! No process is being followed, just Twitter.

    Like

    • sanjana Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 4:58 AM

      Lets go back to world cup and guess the finalists and winners!

      Like

    • Qalandar Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 8:20 AM

      I don’t know what you mean by process — a lot of the women who feel they have been silenced need to have their stories told and heard. Hence they are sharing it on twitter. We can’t “judicialize” this whole thing by saying it is illegitimate if done this way: where someone feels they have been degraded and de-humanized, telling your story, with yourself at the center (rather than being the sordid prop in someone else’s story), might be an integral part of reclaiming dignity. I’m a lawyer myself, and as anyone who has put a plaintiff who has been oppressed on the witness stand will tell you, the need to tell their side of the story is very important to the person, beyond the question of the judgment.

      Like

      • jayshah Says:
        October 9, 2018 at 8:28 AM

        I don’t think anything is illegitimate but I do feel dilution in impact here. Completely agree on dignity aspect, this is a relief for many and a way of moving on. But if one is trying to convict someone or even shame them so they don’t do it again I have serious doubts it will work. These culprits need to be behind bars – the rapists that is.

        I agree with you Qalander. I am for these women and their horrific experiences to be shared – to enable safety in future, these men need to be held accountable for their actions…that won’t happen via Twitter!

        Like

  130. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 5:17 AM

    NEW DELHI: The #MeToo movement in India is the beginning of a “wrong practice” and women “habitually” take two-four lakhs to fling allegations at men, BJP parliamentarian Udit Raj said on Tuesday, in a series of outrageous comments on Tuesday in support of actor Nana Patekar, who has been accused of sexually harassing a co-star 10 years ago.
    “The #MeToo campaign is necessary but what is the meaning of accusing someone of sexual harassment after 10 years? After years how can it be possible to verify the facts of the events? It must be considered that it can ruin the image of the person who has been accused. It is the beginning of a wrong practice,” the BJP lawmaker tweeted in Hindi.

    Speaking to reporters, his views became exponentially worse. “Habitually women take two-four lakhs, level allegations on men and then pick another man. I accept it is in man’s nature. But are women perfect? Can it not be misused? A man’s life gets destroyed because of this,” Udit Raj was quoted as telling news agency ANI.

    Udit Raj’s comments hit all the wrong notes at a time women are coming out on social media to share their #MeToo experiences with powerful men in the media, films and the entertainment industry.

    https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/women-take-2-4-lakh-target-men-bjp-lawmaker-udit-rajs-metoo-shocker-1929195?pfrom=home-topscroll

    Like

  132. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 5:24 AM

    Like

  133. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 6:22 AM

    Malayalam actor-politician Mukesh accused of sexual harassment as #MeToo list grows

    A Mumbai-based casting director took to Twitter on Tuesday to accused TMC legislator Mukesh of sexual harassment from 19 years ago.
    INDIA Updated: Oct 09, 2018 13:56 IST

    A Mumbai-based casting director said she immediately contacted her boss Derek O’Brien (now a TMC leader) who arranged an air ticket for her to return to Mumbai the same night of the incident. (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

    Malayalam actor Mukesh who is also a legislator of the ruling CPI(M), has become the latest film personality to be accused of sexual harassment after a Mumbai-based casting director took to Twitter on Tuesday to highlight an incident 19 years ago.

    In her tweet, Tess Joseph alleged that when she was directing the Malayalam TV programme ‘Koteeswaran’ (Malayalam version of Kaun Benega Crorepati), Mukesh Kumar who was the host, called her a couple of times and even got her hotel room changed next to his.

    She said she immediately contacted her boss Derek O’Brien (now TMC leader) and he arranged an air ticket following which she returned to Mumbai the same night. In the tweet she also thanked O’Brien for the timely intervention.

    Mukesh has denied the charges. “I don’t even remember what happened 20 years ago. You can write whatever you want,” he told a news channel.

    But Tess Joseph has evoked some support. Actor Bhagyalakshmi backed her saying, “Mukesh will have to explain. More than an actor he is also a law-maker now.”

    Over the past couple of weeks, a clutch of high profile men including actors, filmmakers, journalists, musicians and authors have been accused by different women of sexually harassing them.

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/malayalam-actor-politician-mukesh-accused-of-sexual-harassment-as-metoo-list-grows/story-ZXwBNhc5SpBMYZg0HKOImO.html

    Like

    • Preet singh Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 6:39 AM

      As an advocate. Im really disappointed that instead of people coming to us or the police. They are choosing public platforms to spread there side of the story. By doing so, they are not realising that they are inviting defamation claims upon them. Is there any point of all this? If you keep on talking about harassment on social media platforms. But never take any legal action to punish your offenders. Is there any point of having police stations or courts in this country?

      Like

  134. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 6:55 AM

    Kher and big editors

    Like

  135. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 6:56 AM

    Exclusive: ‘Sairat’ Director’s Ex-Wife Tells Her Story of Abuse
    https://www.thequint.com/voices/women/sairat-director-nagraj-manjules-wife-sunita-accuses-domestic-abuse

    Like

  136. Bliss Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 7:12 AM

    Soli Sorabjee now

    A PIL has been filed in Supreme Court accusing former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee of sexual assault. PIL says,”Soli Sorabjee’s reputation as a serial sexual harasser of women is well known in the community he frequents including lawyers,”

    Like

  138. sanjana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 10:02 AM

    This spoof song in response to Trump’s ‘it’s scary time for men’ is winning hearts online
    Playing the ukulele, choreographer Lynzy Lab came up with a song that has struck a chord with millions of people across the globe, earning more than three million views in less than 24 hours.

    Like

  139. tonymontana Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 10:09 AM

    WHile some accusations such as alok nath or the date rape one were defibitely justified, others carry a rather thin line between hitting on someone or outright harrassment!

    Many Girls prefer guys to make the first move
    If they don’t, gay!
    If they do and the girl isn’t into it — harrassment

    How do the one night stands and casual affairs begin?
    Someone has to make the first move right?
    How would he/she assume the other party isn’t interested?
    In any case they would need to check on the other person.

    But now the men would have to be extra careful coz social media has become an extremely dangerous tool.

    The chetan bhagat incident, i do not personally count as harrassment.
    He was fairly decent in carrying that conversation. No explicit language used, he was almost courteous
    Coz if that can count as harrassment, anything can!

    Like

    • Preet singh Says:
      October 9, 2018 at 10:26 AM

      Yes, but in India the male mindset can hardly ever change. They are protected by there parents and connections. And also the crappy judicial system. Here, making fun of a rape victim is considered funny. So there can be no hope if they take this seriously enough.

      Like

  141. Satyam Says:
    October 9, 2018 at 10:39 AM

    I put up this longer comment on twitter:

    [post created]

    Liked by 1 person

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