Comedian Kaneez Surka praised Tanushree’s bravery. She wrote on Twitter, “Of course a lot of Bollywood stars and producers won’t say anything - they are afraid and some of them should be. Be afraid, be very afraid - It begun. More power to women like #TanushreeDutta - for fighting the good fight for us.”
Twinkle Khanna, in another response to Janice’s tweets, wrote, “Please read this thread before judging or shaming #TanushreeDutta a working environment without harassment and intimidation is a fundamental right and by speaking up this brave woman helps pave the way towards that very goal for all of us!”
Meanwhile, another person on Twitter has claimed to have been present on set when the incident occurred. “Everything in this thread happened exactly the way it’s written. It was my first film as an AD. I was proud of what you did then, @TanushreeDutta and I’m proud of you today,” tweeted Shyni Shetty.
Actor Richa Chadha, who has previously alluded to the rampant casting couch problem in Bollywood, wrote on Twitter, “It hurts to be #TanushreeDutta rn. To be alone, questioned. No woman wants publicity that opens the floodgates of trolling and insensitivity.What happened to her on set was intimidation.Her only fault was she didn’t back down-takes a special courage to be #TanushreeDutta.”
At the trailer launch of their film, Thugs of Hindostan, actors Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan were among the first to be asked about the allegations. While Aamir said that necessary steps must be taken if they’re proved true, Amitabh avoided answering the question and said that he is neither Tanushree Dutta nor Nana Patekar.
Salman Khan, who was asked about the issue at an event on Thursday, said that he was not aware of it. “I am not aware of this. Let me know and understand what is happening,” he said.
Sonam Kapoor rose to both Tanushree and Janice’s defence. “I believe #TanushreeDatta and @janiceseq85 recollection of the account. Janice is my friend, and she is anything but an exaggerator or a liar. And it’s upto us to stand together,” she wrote on Twitter. “Many of my co-workers,female and male have been harassed and bullied, but it’s their story to tell. If we don’t encourage their voices and instead vilify and question them, how will victims ever become survivors? Let them speak up! Stand up with them!” she continued.
Director Hansal Mehta in a Twitter statement wrote that “India in general does not have a conducive work environment. Mental harassment, abuse and predatorial behaviour by people in positions of power are prevalent and considered perks of being in power. Years of oppression and colonial rule have permanently altered our DNA.”
Director Anurag Kashyap also cited Janice’s tweets as confirmation of Tanushree’s allegations. “This should stop the speculation .. about the intention of the survivor,” he wrote, noting that ‘Janice is as credible as they come.’