Bollywood actress and MeToo whistleblower Tanushree Dutta has made shocking claims about targeted harassment and threats to her safety, saying she now fears for her life.
In an interview with Gulf News, the Aashiq Banaya Aapne star opened up about the long-lasting fallout of her 2018 revelations, from tampered vehicle brakes to poisoned food and sabotaged career prospects.
“That video came out of frustration,” Dutta said, referring to a recent viral clip in which she broke down in tears. “It was a momentary breakdown, not a publicity stunt.”
Dutta was the first mainstream Hindi film actress to speak out during India’s MeToo movement in 2018, when she accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of inappropriate behaviour on the sets of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss in 2008. While her actions inspired many others in the industry to come forward, the years since have, according to Dutta, been marked by fear, isolation, and retaliation.
In 2025, a Mumbai court dismissed her case due to procedural delays, with police calling the complaint "maliciously false." However, Dutta continues to maintain she has been the target of a calculated campaign to discredit her. “My brakes were cut twice,” she revealed. “I had a serious accident during a religious pilgrimage in Ujjain in 2022. I was on crutches for months. That could have been fatal.”
She also claimed attempts were made to lure her into dangerous situations. “There were six men waiting in a hotel room I was tricked into visiting. I sensed something was wrong and didn’t enter,” she recalled. “I was being followed, recorded, and even poisoned. I stopped ordering room service because my food was tampered with.”
Dutta says she now avoids hiring household help, citing surveillance and hacking. “My emails were compromised. They knew where I was going. I live alone. I cook, clean, and care for my cat. I don’t have the luxury to fall apart.”
She blames a powerful lobby for obstructing her return to showbiz. “Projects were snatched away. Producers backed out. My comeback would have been seen as a win for MeToo — they didn’t want that.”
Despite her trauma, Dutta says she doesn’t regret speaking up. “I just want peace. I don’t fear death. I’ve kept my sanity. If they stop targeting me, I’ll stop talking. But until then, I’ll keep defending myself.”