Amitabh Bachchan Slammed Online After Avoiding Questions About Tanushree Dutta’s Allegations

For years, Indian actors have requested journalists to ask questions that are related to their profession. However, every time they’ve been asked to answer to anything controversial and involving people from their industry, their response has been absolutely tone deaf. Some of the recent examples are Saroj Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, regarding Sri Reddy. And joining the lot now is Amitabh Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan was attending the trailer launch of his upcoming movie ‘Thugs of Hindostan’. During its interview session, he was asked to respond to Tanushree Dutta’s allegations on Nana Patekar. And his answer was shocking.

Neither my name is Tanushree nor Nana Patekar. So, how can I answer your question?: Amitabh Bachchan on Tanushree Dutta accusing Nana Patekar of harassment. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/kyqSRnhYJf

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2018

“Neither my name is Tanushree nor Nana Patekar. So, how can i answer your question?”

10 years ago, Tanushree Dutta had accused Nana Patekar of harassing her and had received no support from the Bollywood industry. And now with the rise of the #MeToo movement and Janice Sequeira’s support, she has found her voice again. But still she has to face hollow statements like these, and that too from one of the senior-most actors in the industry.

However, Amitabh Bachchan wasn’t getting away easily after saying that. Netizens virtually held him and criticised him for not taking a stand:

1. Their solidarity is wafer-thin.

At #ThugsOfHindostan presser, when asked about Tanushree Dutta, Amitabh Bachchan said, "Neither am I Tanushree, not am I Nana Patekar, so how can I comment on this?" Wayyy to show solidarity for your colleagues, Bollywood. This country's superstars make us so proud.

— Ankur Pathak (@aktalkies) September 27, 2018

2. Money talks.

https://twitter.com/darshan4481/status/1045225793448640512

3. He had the opportunity and he squandered it.

Has Amitabh Bachchan stood up for anything in his life? He is always on the right side of power. A great actor but possibly the most spineless, hypocrite in recent times! https://t.co/0qk1TYE5Gu

— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) September 27, 2018

4. He should’ve taken notes from his letter.

Great actor, greater hypocrite.

— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) September 27, 2018

5. It won’t be surprising if he does so.

Amitabh Bachchan is reserving comment on Tanushree Dutta – Nana Patekar until Pink's sequel is announced & he can monetise his performative display of empathy

— neha (@nay_yeah) September 27, 2018

6. Only in movies.

https://twitter.com/boobradleyblog/status/1045246178382807040

7. Times change and we should too.

These are the goddamn superstars we idealize in our country? Who shy away from supporting women who raise their voice for their rights? Wow, what a legacy they're leaving behind. #TanushreeExposesBollywood https://t.co/uYbh9ACUsk

— Nikita Jain (@Nikitajain2091) September 27, 2018

8. You can say that again.

This is so unbelievably shameless. https://t.co/j2EkqFj9HW

— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) September 27, 2018

9. Actions speak louder than words.

A spine. That's what this man lacks. https://t.co/bPdYn5Xnfu

— Bodhisattva Sen Roy (@insenroy) September 27, 2018

10. Practice what you preach.

Shameless guy led awareness campaigns 3 years ago when Pink was releasing. Now he won't even talk about it. "It's disgusting." https://t.co/Vd2No2Iz2M

— Ripper (@Ace_Of_Pace) September 27, 2018

11. True that.

Typical @SrBachchan statement. Man has zero balls, zero integrity https://t.co/OZJdYovEiX

— i. (@ridiculouSly__) September 27, 2018

12. For the trailers.

Wasn't he in Pink if I'm not mistaken? All that gyaan for what? @SrBachchan https://t.co/eBXydHmZaz

— Rutuja 🇮🇳 ✨ (@HavaldarShinde) September 27, 2018

13. Never meet your heroes.

Honestly i respected this man so much. But… https://t.co/eiD0WTNDwv

— ♔ V𝒊𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒖 (@VersoVibh_) September 27, 2018

14. Apparently, yes.

So No means No sounds good only in movie. isn't it? Mr. @SrBachchan https://t.co/FQLz2X6dC8

— Ishaan Rajput (@lotus_eaters1) September 27, 2018

16. It’s about time he understands.

It's embarrassing that @SrBachchan continues to take no stand against any issue whatsoever. As someone who's voice carries so much weight in the industry, he could make a difference and encourage even more #MeToo victims to come forward.

But nope. Being too PC is unhealthy. https://t.co/RcAVjqKkWo

— Mufaddal Fakhruddin (@mufaaf) September 27, 2018

17. Of course.

Beti Bachao when convenient https://t.co/p4ad3RYJXF

— Sudarshan 😀 (@simplysud) September 27, 2018

Although the #TimesUp movement was popularised by Hollywood, Tanushree Dutta’s allegations show that the culture of sexually harassing actors isn’t limited to that industry. And to make Bollywood a safe workplace, we’ve to start cancelling people who do such actions and especially those who support them and watch in silence. Given his stature, Amitabh Bachchan had the chance to do so but he wasted it for the sake of political correctness. Let’s hope others don’t follow his example.

Cover Image Source: 1, Rising Sun Films