Days after calling Nana Patekar out for his alleged sexual misconduct on the sets of Horn OK Pleassss, which propelled a wave of #MeToo allegations in Bollywood, actress Tanushree Dutta has filed a defamation suit against Rakhi Sawant for accusing her of consuming drugs on the sets of the 2008 film. The suit demands damages of INR10 crore and a public written and video apology within seven days from Sawant.
Speaking to media outlets, Dutta’s lawyer confirmed the news saying, “On behalf of Tanushree Dutta, we have filed a criminal and civil defamation case of Rs 10 crore against Rakhi Sawant for maligning my client’s character and image.”
Dutta had accused Patekar of physically and verbally abusing her while filming a dance number for the said film. Dutta eventually walked out of the film and was replaced by Sawant.
Defending Patekar, Sawant, in a press conference, had claimed that Dutta was making such allegations because “she is mad and trying to gain publicity.”
Sawant also called Dutta a “dope”, saying that she “would consume drugs and remain unconscious for hours on the film set.”
Meanwhile, Rakhi responded to Dutta’s suit with a series of videos that were anything but an apology.
Rakhi said, “’She has filed a defamation case against me for 10 crores I will file one for 50 crore. I will file a 50 crore defamation case against Tanushree for calling me a lower class girl.”
Rakhi continued that Dutta was targeting her because Nana Patekar and Raj Thackery did not give her the attention she wanted. She said that she will reply to Dutta in court. Rakhi maintained that Dutta would consume drugs and that she had evidence to support her claims too.
“ I definitely have proof. 10 years ago when she claimed that the incident took place with her, I was there, I used to accompany her to parties and she had taken me to rave parties 3 times. At those parties, she doped in front of me and even offered it to me. Because of her even I had taken it (drugs). Thank god I ended our friendship otherwise even I would have to go to rehab and become bald.”
Concluding her arguments, Rakhi said that the essence of the movement was being lost.
“It is not going in the right direction. Various girls are coming and taking advantage of the movement and without facing harassment, are accusing innocent men. I feel bad for those women who have actually suffered sexual harassment and they won’t be heard because of girls who are lying,” Rakhi signed off.
Dutta has also filed a police complaint against Nana Patekar for the incident.
