Nana Patekar Quits Housefull 4, Says Appropriate For Team's Convenience
New Delhi: Nana Patekar who was to star in Housefull 4, has stepped down from the project. Nana Patekar who has been accused of sexual harassment by Tanushree has stepped out from the movie, saying that it will be convenient for the production team. As we know that Akshay Kumar who is the part of the movie 'Houseful 4' has cancelled the shoot for the film over allegations against certain members of the film's team. Speaking to news agency ANI, the veteran actor's son Malhar said Mr Patekar quitting the project is the 'appropriate' step. "Nana sahib thought of the convenience of everybody as he wishes the best for the producer and the crew and hence felt that stepping out of the project would be an appropriate thing to do at this point of time."
The statement of Nana Patekar's exit came few hours later of Sajid Khan's statement. Sajid Khan who was to direct the movie has stepped down from the project as he has been gripped under the #MeeToo Movement where he has been accused of sexual misconduct with actresses Rachel White (Ungli), Saloni Chopra (TV series Screwed Up), and journalist Karishma Upadhyay. After which Sajid Khan even tweeted and wrote: "In the wake of the allegations against me and the pressure being put on my family, my producers and are the stars of my film Housefull 4, I must take the moral responsibility of stepping down from my directorial post, till the time I can allay the allegations and prove the truth. I request my friends in the media to kindly not pass judgement till the truth is out."
Two weeks ago, the #MeToo movement in India was set in motion by Tanushree Dutta, who named Mr Patekar as her alleged harasser. In separate interviews, one among them to NDTV, Ms Dutta alleged Mr Patekar misbehaved with her on the sets of Horn 'OK' Pleassss in 2008. Nana Patekar denied Ms Dutta's claims and subsequently sent a legal notice to Ms Dutta asking for an apology. Ms Dutta, who has been promised help by top film body Cine And TV Artists Association or CINTAA and has also reached out to the Maharashtra Women Commission, filed an FIR against Mr Patekar in Mumbai earlier this week.
Today, Akshay Kumar, who was holidaying abroad, tweeted to say that the shooting of Housefull 4 has been stalled till 'further investigation'. Riteish Deshmukh, who also stars in Housefull 4, 'seconded' Akshay Kumar's decision.
When Tanushree Dutta named and shamed Nana Patekar as a sexual predator, Mr Patekar was shooting with Team Housefull 4 in Jaisalmer. Soon after his return to Mumbai, Nana Patekar briefly met the media and said: "My lawyer has asked me to not talk to any channel, have to listen to him. I would say what I said 10 years back, the truth doesn't change." Before the press meet, Nana Patekar told Times Now that it would have been impossible for him to harass Ms Dutta on a crowded set and that he would sue for defamation.
As the #MeToo wave caught up with Bollywood, industry celebrities such as Alok Nath, Subhash Ghai, Kailash Kher and Vikas Bahl, among others have been named as alleged sexual harassers. Earlier this week, Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao stepped away from a film because of sexual misconduct allegations against a team member.
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