Nana Patekar denied he misbehaved with actor Tanushree Dutta on the sets of a 2008 film (File Photo)
Bollywood actor Nana Patekar, facing sexual harassment allegations from actor Tanushree Dutta, on Saturday once again denied the charges after being questioned by the media at Mumbai airport on Saturday. "Jo jhooth hai, woh jhooth hai (A lie is a lie)" he told the media, after getting into a car. "Dus saal pehle iska jawaab de chuka hoon (I had said this 10 years ago)," he said. Nana Patekar had earlier dismissed the allegations, saying there were "50-100 people on the set with me".
"What do you mean sexual harassment?" he had earlier said on being asked about his alleged aggressive and offensive behavior against Tanushree Dutta on the sets of a song sequence for a 2008 film, 'Horn OK Pleassss'.
The actor, who landed in the city from Rajasthan's Jaipur, where he was shooting for his upcoming film 'Housefull 4', will reportedly hold a press conference to address the matter in a day or two, according to news agency IANS.
"He was grabbing my hands and teaching me how to dance," Tanushree Dutta had told NDTV in the charges that have since sparked a number of public accusations against men in the media and entertainment industry. Ms Dutta had also alleged political threats and a "violent attack" by activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena or MNS, after she protested the incident 10 years ago.
"He was grabbing my hands and teaching me how to dance," Tanushree Dutta had told NDTV in the charges that have since sparked a number of public accusations against men in the media and entertainment industry (File Photo)
She also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of behaving inappropriately with her on the sets of a 2005 film, 'Chocolate'. He had allegedly asked Ms Dutta to strip off camera on the sets of the film.
Vivek Agnihotri's lawyer had denied the charges, declaring them to be "absolutely false, frivoulous and vexatious," adding that the director would sue Tanushree Dutta over the accusation.
Both Mr Patekar and Mr Agnihotri have denied the charges and demanded apologies from Ms Dutta, sending her legal notices. On Friday, a complaint was filed against her for 'defaming' MNS leader Raj Thackeray.
Tanushree Dutta's allegations have been linked to the global #MeToo movement, which has swept a wide range of industries, uncovering sexual assault charges against powerful men.
While many in Bollywood have backed Ms Dutta, her allegations have also elicited reactions of scorn or ignorance from some.
(With Inputs From Agencies)