Amit Behl Calls Tanushree Dutta’s #MeToo Allegations Against Nana Patekar ‘False’ – Know What Really Happened
Amit Behl has characterised Tanushree Dutta’s MeToo allegations against Nana Patekar as a 'false case', asserting that the 2008 incident involved verbal 'body-shaming' and a professional spat rather than the physical assault reported in the media.
Amit Behl, actor and former senior executive of the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA), has revisited the catalyst of India’s MeToo movement, labelling Tanushree Dutta’s 2018 allegations against Nana Patekar as "false." In a candid interview, Behl provided new insights into how the industry body perceived the case, suggesting that while the movement itself was vital, the specific incident that sparked it lacked criminal merit. ‘Won’t Sleep With a Guy on Same Bed’: Tanushree Dutta REVEALS She Was Offered INR 1.65 Crore for ‘Bigg Boss’, Claims She Rejected Salman Khan-Hosted Reality Show for 11 Years (Watch Video).
Amit Behl on Tanushree Dutta's MeToo Case
Speaking with Siddharth Kannan, Behl shared his perspective on the internal findings regarding the 2008 set of Horn 'OK' Pleassss. While Dutta had accused Patekar of sexual harassment during a song sequence, Behl characterised the encounter differently.
“Personally, I felt the case that triggered the movement initially did not have enough substance,” Behl stated. He clarified that the friction between the actors was professional rather than sexual in nature. “There was no physical assault involved; it was more about body-shaming,” he added, referring to the verbal spat between Dutta, Patekar, and director Rakesh Sarang.
The Statistical Reality of MeToo
Reflecting on his time handling dozens of complaints during the height of the movement, Behl provided a breakdown of the cases that reached the association. He noted that while a majority of the survivors' claims were valid, a significant portion were not substantiated by evidence.
“About 70% of cases were genuine, but 30% were false,” Behl remarked. He also revealed the immense pressure he faced from various quarters to influence the outcomes of these investigations. “Some people tried to pressure us into covering their side—sometimes politely, sometimes through media channels,” he said.
The Emotional and Professional Toll
Behl described the period as emotionally gruelling, recounting the experience of hearing survivors share their stories alongside industry figures like Vinta Nanda and Raveena Tandon.
“Listening to them felt like watching a horrifying film unfold in front of me,” Behl admitted. “That day, for the first time, I felt ashamed of being a man.”
The actor revealed that the stress of balancing his acting career with the late-night calls and traumatic testimonies took a severe toll on his health. “I carried the burden of the whole world on my shoulders. Eventually, I had a bypass surgery,” he shared, though he confirmed he has since recovered.
Despite his criticism of the Dutta-Patekar case, Behl emphasised that the movement fundamentally improved the workplace environment in Bollywood. He pointed to the mandatory formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC) and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) guidelines as permanent victories.
“Because of that movement, many buried issues came out. POSH committees were formed,” Behl noted. “Today, every major production house and channel has guidelines and internal committees, whether it’s Netflix, Amazon, Excel Entertainment, or Rajan Shahi’s office.”
Watch Amit Behl’s Full Interview With Siddhayh Kannan:
While Behl remains "shocked" by some of the prominent names that surfaced secrets he says he will "carry to his grave", he maintains that the movement’s legacy is defined by its systemic changes rather than its individual controversies. ‘Welcome 4’: Iconic Trio Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar Reunite; Scripting in Progress Ahead of ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Release.
As of now, Tanushree Dutta has not responded to Behl’s latest comments. She has consistently maintained in the past that the industry failed to protect her and that she faced significant professional backlash for speaking out.
Women and Child Helpline Numbers:
Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2026 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
