Veteran Bollywood actor Nana Patekar today broke his silence on the allegations of harassment levied against him by actress Tanushree Dutta. Responding to allegations over an incident with took place in 2008, Patekar cryptically told media that the truth remains truth even after 10 years.
"I said this 10 years ago too. What was true then remains true today. My legal team has asked me not to speak. Otherwise why will I not spear to you guys," Patekar told reporters here Monday.
The actor, who was to hold a press conference, briefly addressed the media at his residence, saying he cannot talk in detail about the case. "I will follow what my lawyer has said. So please pardon me," he added.
The actor told media that he still withstands the statement he gave immediately after the controversy broke out first in 2008.
In the decade-old press conference, Patekar had denied all allegations fo sexual arrestment against him and had said that he is disgusted by the fact that such accusations were being made against him. "I never touched her during rehearsals, throughout the song (of the film Horn Ok Pleasss) she was supposed to touch me not the other way round. There was no chance of any harassment," he had said in old presser.
In a recent TV interview, Dutta alleged Patekar misbehaved with her when the two were shooting a special song for "Horn Ok Pleassss" 10 years ago.
The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Dutta for allegedly making false accusations against him in an incident.
Dutta has also filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and the director and producer of the 2008 film.
Here's what Nana Patekar said today:
Here's what Nana Patekar said 10 years ago:
Tanushree Dutta to IndiaTV: 'I was harassed, terrorized for years for raising my voice'
The song shoot that sparked Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy 10 years ago
Meanwhile, the producer of "Horn Ok Pleassss" submitted an application before police on Monday, stating that no molestation took place on the sets of the movie as alleged by actor Tanushree Dutta.
According to a senior official, the producer, Samee Siddiqui, submitted the application at Oshiwara police station this morning.
"Samee Siddiqui today morning submitted the application at Oshiwara police station," Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional CP (WR) said.
Siddiqui claimed the matter had already been investigated by Goregaon police station. No molestation took place (on the sets of the movie) and this was a publicity stunt.
Rakesh Sarang, director of "Horn Ok Pleassss", had also backed Patekar.
"She misunderstood the enthusiasm of Mr Patekar. There were so many people on the sets. If somebody wanted to do it, why do it in front of everyone?" Sarang told PTI last month.
