Two years ago, Raveena Tandon wrote a blog post about the harassment faced by young female actors in Bollywood in the 1990s, and how they suffered at the hands of powerful actors. The post has resurfaced in the wake of the Tanushree Dutta- Nana Patekar controversy.
As the old blog post makes its rounds on media, the Dilwale actor clarified that while it addresses the issues women face, it was not written about Dutta’s particular issue. “An old blog of mine is now making the rounds on different publication sites. This was written two years ago, strangely now republished (sic) everywhere as a newly written blog, which actually has no connection with the #TanushreeDutta case,” tweeted Tandon.
The Mohra actor has spoken up in support of Tanushree Dutta, after alleged that Patekar had harassed her on the sets of the 2009 film, Horn OK Pleassss.
What defines harassment in a workplace? The fact that many industry wives/girlfriends are silent observers or instigators, when actor husbands destroy the actresses careers after the chase and flirtation is over,have them replaced with other potential targets?
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena)
Tandon took to Twitter and supported Dutta by writing, “It’s time witnesses came forward and stood by her, unafraid of the consequences, and let the law take its own course.” The actor also questioned the deafening silence of the film fraternity on Dutta’s case.
When our industry fails to stand for and protect its own.They get their chance and lose it.Makes our films on women empowerment hollow.The deafening silence on #TanushreeDutta case is sickening. remember the controversy breaking out .( part 1)
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) September 28, 2018
Tandon considered this incident as a “life changing incident” for Dutta. She tweeted that she had heard about Patekar’s volatile temper but had never witnessed it herself. In the last tweet regarding the case, Tandon took a neutral stance and said that, “we should not judge and media lynch. Let’s put our faith in the judiciary and let justice unfold.”
It’s time witnesses came forward and stood by her,unafraid of the consequences,and let the law take its own course.We should not judge and media lynch.lets put our faith in the judiciary and let justice unfold.Innocent till proven guilty.(part4) #TanushreeDutta
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) September 28, 2018
Dutta-Patekar controversy has witnessed twin shades of the industry. While the likes of actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Shakti Kapoor and Salman Khan were seen evading the question; Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Swara Bhaskar and Varun Dhawan were seen supporting Dutta and voicing their opinions for safe workplace environment for females.
Read her blog post “The Power Men of Bollywood, and how social media has evened the Scales” here.
