It's time Bollywood boycott choreographer Ganesh Acharya completely: Tanushree Dutta
Actor Tanushree Dutta urged the Bollywood industry to boycott choreographer Ganesh Acharya, following a harassment complaint against him by a 33-year-old woman.
Ms Dutta said, "It's time Bollywood and the other Indian film industries boycott choreographer Ganesh Acharya completely. Hiding behind the male superstars who work with this despicable man, he has been abusing his power and position to harass, bully and take advantage of vulnerable young newcomers to the industry."
The 35-year-old actor referred to her harassment case and said, "Even though Ganesh Acharya was party to all the harassment I faced on "Horn Ok Please" set, he went on to spoil my name and reputation thereafter, the leading men and heroes of Bollywood continued to work with him and give him film after film. Look now, didn't I tell you so??"
The actor added, "Nobody had any regard for me and how much I had suffered psychologically and financially because of the turmoil I went through because of these people. I left the industry because I was so scared and hurt over the atrocious treatment meted out to me on "Horn OK Please" set. I had worked very sincerely to get to where I got in life and so went in shock for many years, over the whole episode on that set almost 12 years ago, that led to an attack on my car. They didn't just break my car, they broke my spirit that day."
She further said, "Now, after all the information of fraud, non-payment of dues, sexual harassment of dancers, bullying and intimidation and even physical abuse of dancers is coming out about Ganesh Acharya in the media, if the actors, directors and producers still work with him, it would mean that they themselves are engaging in such acts also."
Warning the film fraternity the actor said, "Stay the hell away from Ganesh Acharya otherwise your own reputation will be joined to his character. I am sure many more girls and boys will come out about his misbehaviour and shady business, opening floodgates in the future."
She concluded by stating, "Paap ka ghada bhar gaya re tera, ab toh chalak chalak ke teri kahaniya nikal rahi hain" (Your pot of sin is full, now your stories are coming out).
In September 2018, Ms Dutta had alleged that veteran actor Nana Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of "Horn Ok Please" in 2008 while shooting a special dance number for the movie, and went on to file an FIR against him. However, Mr Patekar refuted all allegations.
Earlier today, dancer and choreographer Ganesh Acharya alleged that senior dancer Saroj Khan was conspiring against him.
"This is the conspiracy against me to malign my image, there are people like Saroj Khan and her colleagues who are doing corruption in the industry. Their business has flopped as I have entered the association," he said.
"I will file a defamation case against Saroj Khan and her team who are defaming me and stooping so low to do that, they are doing this because their business has gone in vain they used to earn money sitting at home illegally and I am against it so will put all my efforts to fight against them," he added.
A complaint was filed on Monday against Ganesh Acharya at Amboli Police Station and Maharashtra State Women's Commission. The woman also accused the choreographer of forcing her to watch porn videos.
Ganesh Acharya and Saroj Khan have been in a constant tussle for a long time, the latest being Saroj Khan levelling allegations against him for exploiting his dancers and using his position to malign the Cine Dancers Association (CDA).