Tanushree Dutta & Nana Patekar controversy: Here's why the deafening silence by our superstars is problematic

For all those who have been questioning when will a #MeToo movement take over Bollywood, well, let’s say NEVER! Not until the superstars and megastars of our country decide to step up and give their much-needed voice to it. At the Thugs of Hindostan trailer launch on Thursday, when Amitabh Bachchan was asked his opinion on the current burning topic, Tanushree Dutta’s harassment allegations against Nana Patekar, his startling reply left us all baffled. He said, “Neither am I Tanushree nor Nana, so how can I comment on it?” No, we are not making this up. 

Big B swiftly went on to hand over the mic to Aamir Khan immediately who just expressed his “sadness” over the matter and immediately brushed the matter off by saying he isn’t aware of the veracity of the situation. Not just him, the case was similar with Salman Khan, who is supposedly the Dabangg one, but clearly doesn’t like to show it when it comes to matters as sensitive as this. Such statements by people who drive mass opinions are frustrating and problematic at the same time. 

When a superstar tries to sweep the matter off under the carpet by showing sheer disinterest or keeping away from commenting, it only emboldens the predators, as it is seen as a silent support to them. Questioning the intention of the woman who is coming out in open to tell her story- in this case, the second time- is stupid and outrightly preposterous in many ways and then we ask, “Why didn’t you report when it happened?” Well, in this case, Tanushree did and it has stayed on with her for 10 years now. Ignorance is sure bliss but not when all people especially fans are looking forward to hearing their favourite star speak on the issue, it becomes just an excuse. 

Given the mass hysteria Salman, Aamir and Big B enjoy, if nothing else, as part of social responsibility the superstars are expected to speak up rather than holding a deafening silence. This not only exposes the hypocrisy of these stars who have been the face of support to sexual harassment victims (Mr. Bachchan) or who can cry at the drop of a hat hearing emotional and moving tales (Aamir) but also shows how spineless our heroes are. Who can forget Big B’s big words on women empowerment during the promotions of PINK? Guess we would need to make another PINK for him to speak up. Rewind to 2005, when Shakti Kapoor and TV actor Aman Verma were accused of asking for sexual favours from an undercover journalist during a sting operation, Salman had come all out in support of Kapoor. He even banned the Television channel which had exposed the sting. Yes! What’s with this selective outrage, Bhai? Or is it selective when it comes to a particular gender. 

If superstars in Hollywood including Goerge Clooney, Meryl Streep can speak up on the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment issue, why can’t our superstars show some unity? 

While Bollywood megastars have refused to speak, other stars, pre-dominantly female stars, including Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Swara Bhasker, Parineeti Chopra, Kunal Kapoor, among others have shown some spine and come out in support of Dutta, who is facing flak. 

For those unaware, Tanushree in an explosive statement alleged that Nana Patekar in 2008 harassed her on the sets of Horn Ok following which she was so intimidated that she went to the US only to return a while ago. 

Coming to those speaking of investigations, yes, legal remedies will follow but to try and suppress the voice of the victim by questioning her character, her intentions and her story is hypocrisy. And to top it all not express your opinion about it is an easy way out!