Update: Tanushree Dutta denies receiving legal notice from Nana Patekar

Patekar’s lawyer told Indian media that the notice sent to Dutta turned down all allegations and demanded an apology

Bollywood starlet Tanushree Dutta, who has been in the headlines since she accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment, has now denied receiving any legal notice from him.

“I have not received any notice," the 34-year-old actor said on Tuesday, reported Hindustan Times. "These threats are put forth so that others like me are scared to come forward. Anyone with a similar experience who comes forward should not worry about such intimidation tactics."

PHOTO: BIZASIA

The Dhol star added, "The whole nation will support them. There are big media houses standing in solidarity with this movement. It is an excellent time to take these remorseless men to task and send a strong message across. Harassment cases are taken lightly in our society but when given a free pass, over time they become endemic and lead to extreme cases like mine, ending in mob violence."

On Monday, Nana’s lawyer Rajendra Shirodhkar told media that the notice sent to Tanushree is a standard one, which denies all such accusations and demands an apology from Tanushree.

PHOTO: TIMES NOW

“A legal notice has already been sent to her and she will receive it today. The notice that I have sent is a standard one - denying allegations and asking for an apology,” said Shirodkar, according to a Firstpost report.

However, Nana's lawyer was informed that journalist Janice Sequeira and assistant director Shyni Shetty had corroborated Tanushree’s account of harassment on the sets of the 2009 film, Horn 'Ok' Pleassss. Shirodkar mentioned that the Welcome actor plans to hold a press conference to address the matter.

PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES

“I can’t say much now. I have absolutely no idea why she (Tanushree) is talking about it now but she may be have some reasons to do it. Nana will come to town (Mumbai) today or tomorrow and address a press conference. Let him come back and talk, that is the best way to know. Tomorrow he should be definitely here,” added Shirodkar.

This is not the first time Tanushree has denied receiving a legal notice from Nana's lawyers. The model-actor said she didn't get any notice last week either. “Contrary to claims made by Nana’s lawyer I have not received any legal notice," she stated.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Ashiq Banaya Aapne actor revealed she is putting together a “team of lawyers and advocates” to defend herself. In an earlier interview with the Times of India, Tanushree shared that the silence of most industry insiders on the subject could be attributed to the fear most of them feel about their "dark" secrets being leaked too.

“You lose confidence in the fraternity. Today people are coming forward but even the silence of some of these biggies is deafening. Are they afraid some of their dark secrets will also be revealed if they come out? You can judge the kind of people who have come out in support. You can tell their character," she said. "The ones who don’t come out have got much to hide. That’s why they don’t want to comment. They want just to pretend and wish it to go away. But it isn’t going anywhere."

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