Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta has drawn widespread attention after reacting to the death of veteran actor Nana Patekar.
Dutta acknowledged the news on social media while travelling to Lucknow for an important professional event. She said she wanted to remain focused on her work before giving a detailed response.
Her remarks quickly went viral because of the long and controversial history between the two actors.
Dutta also offered condolences to Patekar’s family. However, she later used the phrase “evil dead,” which renewed public discussion around their past dispute.
The actress had accused Patekar in 2018 of inappropriate behaviour during the shooting of the 2008 film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. Patekar repeatedly denied the allegations.
The case became one of the most prominent moments associated with India’s #MeToo movement. It also triggered wider debate about harassment and accountability in the Hindi film industry.
Dutta later alleged that she faced intimidation, harassment and professional setbacks after speaking publicly. She also claimed that her vehicle brakes had been tampered with and that other incidents affected her career. These allegations were not independently verified.
In March 2025, a Mumbai magistrate court dismissed the case linked to her allegations because the complaint had been filed after the legal limitation period. The court did not examine the merits of the police closure report.
Patekar died at the age of 75 after suffering a heart attack in Goa, according to separate reports.
Dutta’s reaction has now brought their long-running controversy back into the spotlight. Her comments continue to generate debate across social media and entertainment circles.
