Tanushree reacts to Nana's reply, Aamir, Big B's 'evasion'; Peecee, others back her

Mumbai: Tanushree Dutta has reacted to Nana Patekar laughing off her allegations of his misbehaviour against her in 2008 and described his response as a "fear and intimidation tactic".

Patekar was "repeating the mistake" that got him into trouble, she said.

"I don't even consider him worth commenting on... Dismissing a woman's claim, dismissing her completely. It is fear and intimidation tactic. This attitude to laugh it off, I think he will face a severe backlash. I can see through everything he is trying to do. That is sad," the actor, who is now based in the US, told PTI.

Asked about the issue that was trending on social media and was the subject of many discussions all over, Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan evaded a direct answer.

"My name is not Tanushree and my name is not Nana Patekar," Bachchan, who shared screen space with Patekar in ‘Kohram’ in 1999, said when asked to react to Dutta's allegations.

Khan said it would not be right for him to comment but "whenever something like this does happens it is really a sad thing".

The two stars were speaking at the trailer launch of their upcoming film ‘Thugs of Hindostan.’

"I don't think I can comment on it... But whenever something like this does happens it is really a sad thing. Now whether such a thing has happened, it is for people to investigate," Khan added.

Asked about the evasive reaction, Dutta said she was going to give them time and was hopeful that "people would do the right thing".

"They are exposing themselves. This is the response of those who talk about women's empowerment and support the #MeToo movement happening in America... and when that is happening here, this is how they respond," she said.

She said she was coming from a compassionate space and was not going to jump to conclusions. "Some humanity will rise and they will say or do something about it. I am still hopeful that people will do the right thing," the actor said.

Salman Khan was also asked about it at an event and his reply was on similar lines. He was quoted as saying. “I am not aware of this. Let me know and understand what is happening. I have been here and I am sure that the legal team will handle that. We will see what is going on. I am not aware of it.”

Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Farhan Akhtar, Richa Chadha and Swara Bhasker have voiced their support for Tanushree Dutta.

Lending his support to the actor by sharing a thread of a journalist’s account of the incident, Farhan said that her intention should not be questioned. "Even when #TanushreeDutta had career concerns to keep quiet 10 years ago she did not and her story hasn't changed now. Her courage should be admired, not her intention questioned," he tweeted.

Priyanka replied to Farhan's tweet, "Agreed..the world needs to #BelieveSurviviors."

Her husband Akshay Kumar is shooting with Nana for 'Housefull 4' currently, but Twinkle Khanna still tweeted, "Please read this thread before judging or shaming #TanushreeDutta a working environment without harassment and intimidation is a fundamental right and by speaking up this brave woman helps pave the way towards that very goal for all of us!"

Echoing similar sentiments, Richa said that what happened to Tanushree "on set was intimidation."

She tweeted, "It hurts to be #TanushreeDutta rn. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity. What happened to her on set was intimidation. Her only fault was she didn't back down-takes a special courage to be #TanushreeDutta."

Even Swara Bhasker supported her by tweeting with the hashtag #IBeliveYouTanushreeDutta.