Cine workers body slams Tanushree Dutta over remarks following Nana Patekar death

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died in the early hours of Thursday at his residence in Goa after suffering a cardiac arrest. Doctors tried to revive him for around 45 minutes, but he could not be saved and was declared dead at approximately 5:10 am. A medico-legal case has been registered alongside an Unnatural Death case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita by Goa Police.

AICWA Backlash

Following the news, actor Tanushree Dutta posted a social media video where she appeared to use the phrase 'evil dead' while talking about his death. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemned her choice of words and accused her of seeking cheap publicity. AICWA Founder and President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta issued a statement calling her remarks deeply objectionable, insensitive, and shameful, arguing that they went against basic humanity. The association also criticized her for mentioning her upcoming work commitments in Lucknow during the video, stating that speaking about personal plans while the country mourned reflected a small mindset.

Context

Public figures and film industry associations frequently issue statements reacting to controversial social media remarks made by celebrities following the death of prominent figures. Nana Patekar and Tanushree Dutta previously shared a history stemming from her 2018 allegations of sexual harassment against him on a film set, which had become a major part of India's #MeToo movement.