After Tanushree Dutta recounted the story of how Nana Patekar had allegedly misbehaved with her on a movie set, for once Bollywood (at least some part of it) found it in themselves to actually speak up against one of the many prevalent issues in the industry. Farhan Akhtar, Richa Chadha, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Renuka Shahane and more came forward to extend their support to the actress.
And now Frieda Pinto has joined the league of celebs who have expressed solidarity to Tanushree in her claims against Nana Patekar.
Frieda who has been attending the fashion weeks in Paris and Milan shared a lengthy post for Tanushree, which began as such:
“Today, I interrupt my feed for a bit from all the fashion week poses to stand by what I truly Believe. I Believe Tanushree Dutta!”
She continued, adding that nor did she need to know Tanushree personally, neither be present on the day when the actress was allegedly abused in order to believe her.
And she explained why she did:
“I don’t need to know her personally, neither have been present on that horrendous day she got bullied, abused both sexually and psychologically, intimidated and shut down in order to corroborate her story.
However, I do know what Truth, Hurt and Abuse sound like. The same way millions of people in the world know that Dr Christine Blasey- Ford is NOT a Liar or an attention seeking, tantrum throwing overgrown child.”
She refers to the much-discussed sexual assault investigations that are ongoing against Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, as per statements made by Dr Christine Blasey- Ford, who claims that he had attempted to rape her in 1982.
Frieda continues, speaking directly to Tanushree:
“I add my voice to the other voices coming out in support of Tanushree’s bravery because God knows this is not going to be easy for you, Tanushree. But what you have done is monumental and important and it has to shake the very core of a nation and an ideology that for too long has gotten away with heinous crimes against women and where the ugliness of misogyny has dominated the rights and suppressed any voice that has dared to speak up.
Also, even if someone speaks up (and in Tanushree’s case- speaks up AGAIN) 10 years later, it doesn’t dilute or nullify a factual, verified, double verified truth. Her story is not a carton of milk that expires after a few days, ready to be discarded. So trolls: please do what you do best but it is not going to change the Truth.”
She ends her post urging Indians to stand up against such cases, instead of waiting for celebs to do so first:
“India – Stand Up, Speak Up. Don’t look to just your superstars to speak up. Be your own role models and follow the voice of your conscience. Follow the truth and stand by a woman’s right to be her own wind keeper. You may just end up setting an example for many others who probably need your grit and courage to speak up.
I SUPPORT TANUSHREE DUTTA.”
You can view her full post here:
With both Tanushree and Patekar gearing up for a legal battle, the support of celebrities do play a very important role. However, as Frieda says, it is time we stopped waiting for them to make a move/statement and actually voiced our own. Times up, India.