Nana Patekar’s Death Revives Memories Of Tanushree Dutta’s #MeToo Allegations

Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar Controversy Resurfaces After Actor’s Death: A Look Back At The #MeToo Chapter

The controversy involving Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar, which became one of the most widely discussed episodes of India’s #MeToo movement, has resurfaced following the veteran actor’s death at the age of 75.

Patekar died on October 8, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa. His death has prompted tributes from across the film industry, while attention has also returned to the allegations made against him by Dutta.

What Did Tanushree Dutta Allege?

Dutta had accused Patekar of inappropriate behaviour during the 2008 shooting of the film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. She alleged that Patekar behaved inappropriately during a song sequence and objected to what she described as an unwanted intimate dance step.

Patekar denied the allegations and rejected the accusations made against him.

The matter remained largely dormant for several years before Dutta spoke publicly about the incident again in 2018. Her statements came at a time when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum in India, and she emerged as one of its most prominent early voices.

Dutta subsequently filed a police complaint naming Patekar and several others, following which an FIR was registered in connection with the allegations.

What Happened To The Police Case?

In 2019, the Mumbai Police submitted a B-summary report recommending closure of the case, citing insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations.

Dutta disputed the police findings and raised questions about aspects of the investigation.

A B-summary police report should not be treated as a judicial determination that an alleged incident either occurred or did not occur. It represented the police's position regarding the available evidence and the case's investigation.

Dutta's Strong Criticism Of Patekar

Over the years, Dutta made several strong public statements about Patekar. At one point, she compared the actor with self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, underscoring the seriousness of her criticism and her view of the allegations.

Patekar, meanwhile, consistently denied the accusations.

Focus Turns To Dutta After Patekar's Death

Following Patekar's death, public interest has once again turned towards Dutta and whether she will respond to the actor's passing.

Reports have drawn attention to her social-media activity and speculation over whether she would make a public statement. Her possible reaction has attracted interest because of the highly publicised dispute and the contrasting accounts given by Dutta and Patekar.

The episode remains an important chapter in the broader discussion surrounding India's #MeToo movement. At the same time, Patekar's decades-long contribution to Indian cinema continues to be remembered by colleagues, fans and public figures.

The allegations against the actor and his denial of them remain part of the history of the controversy, while the 2019 police closure recommendation did not by itself establish the truth or falsity of the original allegations.