Bollywood actor and former Miss India Universe Tanushree Dutta, who became the face of India’s #MeToo movement in 2018, has now spoken out after her emotional video went viral on social media. In the video, the actor is seen sobbing and revealing that she is being harassed even in her own home. The video, which triggered a wave of concern and controversy online, was described by Tanushree as a spontaneous “emotional response” to years of trauma.
In an interview with ANI, Tanushree clarified that the video wasn’t a publicity stunt but a raw outburst stemming from five years of continuous mental distress.
“First of all, I want to say that it was my emotional response. A lot of strange things have happened to me in the last five years. After MeToo, serious and dangerous things started happening around me,” she stated.
She alleged incidents including a car accident caused by brake failure, suspicious food tampering, and strange occurrences outside her residence, which left her in fear and poor health. According to her, these events are not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern she has faced since she spoke out during the #MeToo movement.
Tanushree, who rose to fame with her role in Aashiq Banaya Aapne (2005), expressed her disappointment with the film fraternity. When asked if anyone reached out to support her, she responded:
“I don't have any friends. And when all of this started happening to me, the few contacts I had also disappeared.”
Addressing those accusing her of seeking attention, she firmly dismissed the criticism.
“People always say such things. They said I was acting in 2008, they said the same in 2018. And who are these people anyway?”
“There are many ways to go viral. I don't need to do all this. I am Tanushree Dutta. Miss India Universe.”
Tanushree Dutta became the center of India’s #MeToo wave in 2018 when she accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassment on a film set in 2008. Her courageous stand inspired several other voices in the industry to come forward with their stories of abuse, marking a turning point in Bollywood’s culture of silence.
Since then, however, Dutta has remained in the news sporadically, often highlighting continued harassment, marginalization, and mental health struggles.
Tanushree has reportedly contacted the police and plans to lodge a formal complaint. “I will probably go tomorrow or the day after,” she said in her video, adding that her health has been severely impacted due to the stress.
As her video continues to circulate online, many netizens and activists have begun expressing solidarity with the former actor, calling for a thorough investigation into her claims and more sensitivity toward mental health issues and survivors of harassment.
