Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta, who played a pivotal role in India's #MeToo movement, has made disturbing allegations of harassment at her residence in an emotional video shared on Instagram. The actress, known for her role in "Aashiq Banaya Aapne," appeared visibly distressed while detailing incidents that she claims have been ongoing since 2018.
In the tearful video posted on Tuesday night, Dutta alleged she has been facing systematic harassment, including loud noises, theft, and suspicious activities by domestic help at her home. "I am being harassed in my own house. I just called the cops and they have asked me to come to the police station to lodge a proper complaint," she said, breaking down while speaking to the camera.
The 41-year-old actress revealed that the alleged harassment has taken a severe toll on her health, leading to chronic fatigue syndrome. "I have been harassed so much in the past five years that I have fallen sick. The chronic stress has significantly impacted my daily life and work," Dutta explained in the video.
According to her allegations, the incidents include persistent loud noises and banging outside her home since 2020, which the building management has allegedly failed to address. "Now I just live with it and put headphones with mantras to distract my mind and keep my sanity," she wrote in a follow-up post.
Dutta also claimed that domestic workers hired at her residence had been manipulated into harassing her. She recounted incidents of theft and suspected tampering with her drinking water, mentioning that she once caught a maid making suspicious phone calls before entering her home. "I cannot even hire maids because they planted maids in my house," she said, adding that she now has to manage all household work herself.
The actress has previously spoken about facing harassment during travel and hotel stays, linking these experiences to her public accusation of sexual harassment against veteran actor Nana Patekar in 2018. Her allegations against Patekar were instrumental in launching India's #MeToo movement, though he was later cleared of charges by Mumbai police in 2019.
Dutta also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of inappropriate behaviour during the same period, allegations which he has denied.
The actress stated her intention to file a First Information Report (FIR) detailing all incidents. Police authorities have reportedly advised her to visit the station to register a formal complaint, which she plans to do soon.
Dutta's journey from winning the Femina Miss India title in 2004 and representing India at Miss Universe, to her Bollywood career and later becoming a key figure in the #MeToo movement, has been marked by both success and controversy. After her last television appearance in 2013, she relocated to the United States, stepping away from the public eye until her 2018 allegations brought her back into the spotlight.
The entertainment industry and her supporters have largely rallied behind Dutta, acknowledging her courage in speaking out against harassment. Her current allegations have once again brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by those who speak up against powerful figures in the industry.
