If we know Rakhi Sawant well, and turns out we all do indeed, she isn’t one to take things thrown at her lying down. Whether it’s a jibe on social media or a 10 crore lawsuit.
ICYMI, Rakhi Sawant has been closely involved in the ongoing Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar #MeToo saga.
To refresh your memory, Tanushree Dutta had revealed that Rakhi was brought in to replace her in the Horn Ok Pleassss item song that she had walked out of. However, the real bone of contention lay in what followed after Rakhi came on set. Allegedly, she began bad mouthing Tanushree Dutta.
In light of the recent turn of events, Tanushree has spoken up about her alleged harassment at the hands of Nana Patekar and the involvement of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. She is even pursuing legal course of action against Nana Patekar.
However, Rakhi had gone ahead and called Tanushree’s #MeToo allegations a publicity gimmick. As a result, Tanushree has slapped Rakhi Sawant with a 10 crore defamation lawsuit.
In response to the lawsuit, Rakhi Sawant has posted a few videos on her Instagram, where a reporter friend of her appears to be interviewing her about the entire issue.
In a series of 5 videos, Rakhi speaks about Tanushree Dutta, the defamation suit, having a #MenToo movement, and the wrong direction in which the #MeToo movement is headed.
The first video has Rakhi revealing the ‘real’ reason why the defamation suit has been slapped on her by Tanushree.
“Tanushree Dutta didn’t get any attention from Nana Patekar and Raj Thakeray. She tried a lot to rob them and pull off a publicity stunt, whether it is for visa or passport or for a bank account or even for a comeback in Bollywood, but she didn’t get any attention. So now she has decided that she will target Rakhi and leverage that publicity.”
In the next video, Rakhi addresses Tanushree directly and alleges that she knows the real truth of Tanushree’s life from 10 years ago.
“10 years ago, I was also with you, Tanushree. You used to take me to parties, even to a rave party once. You’ve doped in front of me, and given it to me too once.”
Rakhi’s next complaint is addressed to us, the people, who have proceeded to make #MeToo a one-sided movement.
“Why is the public handing out one-sided judgements? Why is no one listening to the man’s side of the story? I want there to be a #HimToo and #MenToo movement as well. Men should also be heard.”
Issuing a direct challenge to Tanushree Dutta, Rakhi Sawant then went on to say that she will be filing a 50 crore defamation case in return on Tanushree for calling Rakhi ‘lower caste’.
“Before filing a 10 crore defamation case, you have to submit 10 lakh in the Court. You go ahead and submit 10 lakh, and I will go and submit 50 lakh. Why? Because I will file a 50 crore defamation suit in return because you called me ‘lower caste’.”
When asked about what she thought of the #MeToo movement and where was it going, Rakhi had a rather bleak view.
“#MeToo is not going the direction it should. Look at the kind of girls that are coming and spreading filthy accusations, when nothing has even happeend to them. I feel pity for the girls with whom these terrible things have actually happened. They are helpless. #MeToo has been turned into a publicity stunt to get money into one’s accounts.”
“I don’t support either men or women. I support the truth. And if you think I am lying, then throw me in jail.”
Rakhi sure has a flair for the dramatic. It remains to be seen if this 50 crore defamation lawsuit does happen or not.