The long-running controversy between Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar has once again come into focus following the veteran actor’s death on October 8, 2026. Dutta had accused Patekar of sexual harassment in 2018 in connection with an incident she said occurred during the shooting of Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008. Patekar consistently denied the allegations.
The controversy became one of the most widely discussed episodes of India’s #MeToo movement. Dutta’s allegations sparked a national conversation about workplace harassment and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry.
What Happened to the Case?
Following Dutta’s complaint, Mumbai Police investigated the allegations. In 2019, police submitted a closure report stating that they had not found sufficient evidence against Patekar and the other accused. The police report described the FIR as false.
However, the legal story did not end there. Dutta challenged the police closure report and continued to pursue the matter.
In March 2025, a Mumbai magistrate court refused to take cognisance of the allegations. The court noted that the alleged incident dated back to March 2008 and that the complaint was filed beyond the applicable limitation period without sufficient explanation for the delay.
Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the police found insufficient evidence and filed a closure report, while the court later declined to take cognisance of the complaint on limitation grounds, rather than simply stating that the court declared the allegations false.
Tanushree Dutta’s Reaction After Nana Patekar’s Death
Following reports of Patekar’s death, Dutta posted a video in which she said she had heard the news and was considering how she should respond. She also expressed condolences to his family, while saying she had professional commitments in Lucknow.
Reports have also highlighted social-media posts attributed to Dutta that some readers interpreted as indirect references to the controversy. However, such posts should not automatically be presented as targeting Patekar unless she explicitly identifies him.
A Controversy That Has Lasted Years
The dispute has remained part of Bollywood’s #MeToo history for years. Dutta’s allegations and Patekar’s denials represent opposing accounts of an incident that occurred more than a decade before the 2018 complaint.
For those who believe the matter should now remain in the past, the 2025 court proceedings and the subsequent developments may be seen as a point at which the legal chapter has effectively ended.
At the same time, criticism of Dutta should be based on verified statements and documented legal developments rather than assumptions about the meaning of cryptic social-media posts.
Ultimately, the controversy remains a complicated chapter in the history of India’s #MeToo movement—one involving serious allegations, a police closure report, legal proceedings and years of public debate.
