Tanushree Dutta’s evil dead remark on Nana Patekar’s death sparks backlash; AICWA calls it shameful

PTC Web Desk: Actress Tanushree Dutta is facing criticism for a social media video she posted after the news of Nana Patekar’s death. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly objected to the words she used, saying they were hurtful at a time when the industry is mourning.

What Tanushree said

In a video on Instagram on Thursday, Tanushree said she had heard the news about Nana but was busy with an event in Lucknow. She also seemed to say that by evening the media’s focus might move to “evil dead”. She added that she would give her reaction once she figured out what her reaction should be and sent condolences to the family, but the clip ended mid-sentence after “but…”. Many viewers questioned her choice of words and the timing of the video.

What AICWA said

AICWA founder and president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta issued a sharp statement. The body said it condemns her remark, calling it objectionable, insensitive and shameful. It also accused her of seeking cheap publicity.

The association said using such words for someone after his death goes against basic humanity. According to the statement, no one in the film industry has said something like this before, and it hoped she would be the last. “You should have kept a check on your tongue,” it told her.

AICWA also criticised her for talking about her own work. She had said it was a work day and that she was heading to Lucknow for a big event. The association said that on a day when the country was mourning a legend, speaking about her own plans showed a very small mindset.

It also paid tribute to Nana, recalling his Padma Shri, his work with the Naam Foundation to support the families of distressed farmers and his service during the Kargil War.

How Nana Patekar died

Nana had a cardiac arrest early on Thursday at his home in Goa. Doctors tried to revive him for around 45 minutes, but he was declared dead at about 5:10 am. A medico-legal case has been registered and the Goa Police have also filed an Unnatural Death (UD) case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The history between the two

Tanushree and Nana have a long-running dispute. In 2018, she accused him of sexual harassment on the sets of the 2008 film Horn Ok Pleassss and her claims became a major talking point during India’s #MeToo movement. She said she had complained to the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA) in 2008 but nothing happened. An FIR was filed against Nana, who denied the allegations. The case was closed in 2019 for lack of sufficient evidence. In 2025, a Mumbai court in Andheri formally dismissed the criminal proceedings because the complaint had been filed after the legal time limit.