The online version of Tamil newspaper Dinakaran, in an article published today, misconstrued actor Siddharth’s tweet in support of actress Tanushree Dutta and reported that he ‘attacked’ her by questioning why she’d remained silent all along. Siddharth duly called them out and demanded an apology, following which the tweet and the article were deleted.
Siddharth was one of the few from the industry who had voiced support for the Aashiq Banaaya Apne actor when she opened up about an incident of sexual assault on the sets of a film. Dutta had accused Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her while shooting a song sequence in 2009 for the movie Horn Ok Pleassss.
Siddharth termed the Dinakaran article ‘dangerous, illiterate and arrogant journalism’. The article titled ‘Why Was She Quiet All Along?’ quoted the actor as wondering why Dutta hadn’t opened up about the assault for ten years.
Shame on you #Dinakaran. What did I tweet? What have you written? Headline claims i asked 'why did she keep her mouth shut for so long?' Article says I attacked her with my tweet. How dare you? Delete this and apologise immediately. Dangerous, illiterate, arrogant journalism! https://t.co/GZbZDsL9lf
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) October 1, 2018
But Siddharth, in his tweets, had in fact urged people to listen to women who come forward to talk about instances of abuse irrespective of the time frame. He categorically stated that when reporting abuse, the benefit of the doubt should lie with the victim.
If a women speaks out about abuse, you listen. Even if it's on her deathbed 50 years after the incident,you listen. If you ask why she didn't speak earlier or you rush to dismiss her, the problem is with you. There will be investigation; but first, listen. Period. #TanushreeDutta
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) September 28, 2018
Siddharth’s decision to support Dutta gains prominence at a time when major Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan have refused to comment on the issue.
Reporting abuse is traumatic. To be analyzed in public for it is torture. To have some bastard suggest the woman is doing it for attention is inhuman. You always give the victim benefit of the doubt. Enough with shaming! Innocent men will overcome any accusation! #TanushreeDutta
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) September 28, 2018
Tanushree Dutta had reported the incident in 2009, but it had failed to gain traction back then. She had called out the director of the movie Rakesh Sarang and choreographer of the song Ganesh Acharya for failing to take action. Ganesh Acharya denied Dutta’s claims.
Dutta, who chose to walk out of the song, had to face the wrath of Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) workers who arrived at the scene at the behest of Patekar, as claimed by the actress. Dutta’s car was vandalized by the mob, the video of which has gone viral.
