‘Evil Dead’ remark sparks row: Tanushree Dutta hits back at critics after Nana Patekar’s death

Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta has defended her controversial remarks following veteran actor Nana Patekar’s death, saying his death cannot erase the pain and emotional scars she claims to have endured over the years. Her reference to Nana as “evil dead” drew criticism on social media, with the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also condemning her comments as insensitive.

Tanushree Dutta made the remarks in an Instagram Story on October 8 while travelling to Lucknow for a professional event. She expressed concern that media attention would shift entirely to Nana Patekar’s death, affecting publicity for her planned activities. She later conveyed her condolences to his family.

Responding to the backlash, Tanushree said people were judging her without understanding the difficulties she had faced since making sexual harassment allegations against Patekar in 2018. She questioned why his death should mean that she had to forget her experiences or forgive him.

The actress also accused some YouTube channels and online media outlets of using her statements to generate views and engagement. In subsequent remarks, she spoke about the emotional toll of the past several years and said she had considered leaving Mumbai because she did not feel safe.

Tanushree Dutta has also alleged that her vehicle’s brakes were tampered with, that she was followed and threatened, and that she experienced attempts to harm her, including alleged food tampering. She has made similar claims in previous years, including in interviews in 2022 and 2025.

The controversy has revived attention to Tanushree Dutta’s allegations against Patekar over an incident on the sets of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss, a film released in 2009. Her 2018 disclosure became a prominent moment in India’s #MeToo movement, renewing debate about harassment and workplace safety in the film industry. Patekar denied the allegations.

Mumbai Police filed a B-summary report in 2019, citing insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. Subsequent reports also described a court proceeding in 2025 concerning the complaint’s limitation period. The legal developments should not be interpreted as proof that the allegations were fabricated.

Tanushree recently said she had visited a Kali temple, where she cried and prayed in search of emotional relief. She described the experience as helping her cope with her distress, while maintaining that Patekar’s death did not erase the impact of her past experiences.

The AICWA criticised Tanushree Dutta’s remarks as inappropriate during a period of mourning. The backlash has renewed debate over whether her comments were disrespectful to the deceased or reflected her insistence that her account of the past should not be dismissed following his death.