Tanushree Dutta Reacts to Nana Patekar’s Death, Says She Wants to Focus on Work

Mumbai, October 8: Actor Tanushree Dutta has reacted to the reported death of veteran actor Nana Patekar, saying she had “heard the news” but wanted to focus on a scheduled work commitment in Lucknow.

Patekar reportedly died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at the age of 75. Dutta, who had accused the actor of sexual harassment during India’s #MeToo movement in 2018, addressed the news in an Instagram Story while sharing updates about her travel and work schedule.

In a video, Dutta said she was travelling to Lucknow for a major event and had planned to spend the day creating and sharing content. She described the situation as an “odd day” and said she would give her reaction after deciding how she wanted to respond.

“Condolences to the family,” Dutta said, before her video ended midway.

Dutta did not name Patekar in the video but subsequently shared posts showing her preparing to board her flight to Lucknow.

Tanushree Dutta’s 2018 allegations

Dutta had accused Patekar of sexual harassment in 2018, alleging that an incident occurred on the sets of the 2009 film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. Her allegations became one of the prominent developments during India’s #MeToo movement and prompted renewed discussions around sexual harassment in the workplace.

Dutta had also claimed that she approached the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA) over the matter. An FIR was subsequently registered against Patekar, who denied the allegations.

The case was closed in 2019 citing insufficient evidence. In 2025, the Mumbai Andheri Magistrate Court dismissed the criminal proceedings, with the court citing the limitation period for the complaint.

Dutta has now chosen to focus on her scheduled event in Lucknow while briefly acknowledging the news and extending condolences to Patekar’s family.