Veteran actor Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 on October 8, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. His death prompted tributes from across the Indian film industry, while actress Tanushree Dutta, who had accused Patekar of sexual harassment during India’s #MeToo movement, also reacted to the news.
Tanushree addressed the news through a video shared on her Instagram Stories while travelling to Lucknow for a professional commitment. She said she had heard about Patekar’s death and was unsure how she should respond. She also offered condolences to his family.
In the video, Tanushree said she wanted to concentrate on her work and indicated that she would give a fuller reaction after processing the situation. During her comments, she referred to the intense media attention surrounding the death and used the phrase “evil dead,” a remark that quickly attracted attention online.
Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar’s #MeToo Controversy
Tanushree and Nana Patekar have been linked to one of Bollywood’s most prominent controversies from India’s #MeToo movement. In 2018, Tanushree accused Patekar of sexual harassment during the filming of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. Patekar denied the allegations. The controversy became a major part of the wider discussion around workplace harassment in India’s entertainment industry.
The complaint subsequently became a police case. In 2019, Mumbai Police filed a closure report citing insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. In 2025, an Andheri magistrate reportedly declined to proceed with the criminal case on limitation grounds. These legal developments should not be described simply as a court ruling that the allegations were proven false.
Tanushree has continued to speak about the impact the controversy had on her life and career. The remarks quoted in the latest discussion, including her claims that she faced pressure and alleged offers of bribes to withdraw her case, are her allegations and should not be presented as independently established facts.
“Evil Dead” Remark Draws Attention
Tanushree’s latest reaction has generated renewed discussion because of the long-running dispute between the two actors. While she offered condolences to Patekar’s family, her reference to “evil dead” was widely interpreted as reflecting the unresolved bitterness surrounding their past controversy.
At the same time, her initial video was incomplete, and she indicated that she would decide later how she wanted to respond in greater detail. Therefore, her comments should be understood in the context of her earlier allegations and personal experience rather than as a new legal claim.
Nana Patekar’s death has meanwhile prompted widespread tributes to his decades-long career in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was known for acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Ab Tak Chhappan, Welcome and Natsamrat.
