Actor Tanushree Dutta has defended her “Evil is dead” remark following the reported death of veteran actor Nana Patekar, saying that a person’s death does not erase the experiences of those who allege they were mistreated by them.

Dutta, who accused Patekar of sexual harassment during the filming of Horn 'Ok' Pleassss, addressed the controversy in a new video shared on Instagram late Thursday.

Her remarks followed an earlier cryptic post in which she used the phrase “Evil Dead” after news of Patekar’s reported death on October 8 at his Goa residence. Dutta subsequently clarified that she had intended to convey that “evil is dead”.

In the latest video, the actor said the criticism she was receiving did not change her own account of her experiences. She added that she did not wish to reopen old disputes but questioned whether allegations of harassment and victimisation should simply be forgotten after a person’s death.

Dutta also responded to online criticism, calling out trolls and YouTubers whom she accused of targeting her. She claimed that she had faced serious threats and incidents of intimidation after 2020, including alleged attempts to damage her car’s brakes and instances of being followed by men she described as goons.

These claims were made by Dutta in the video.

Tanushree Dutta’s Earlier Reaction To Patekar’s Death

Dutta was travelling to Lucknow when she learnt of Patekar’s reported death. Her initial social media post suggested that she would share her reaction later, but the phrase “Evil Dead” quickly drew attention.

When journalists asked her about the news at an event in Lucknow, Dutta declined to elaborate, saying she wanted to focus on the programme she was attending. She added that those who had passed away were gone.

Her subsequent video made clear that she stood by the sentiment behind her earlier remark, despite the backlash it generated.

The 2009 Horn 'Ok' Pleassss Allegations

Dutta’s allegations against Patekar became a major part of India’s #MeToo conversation in 2018. She accused the actor of sexually harassing her while they were filming a special song for the 2009 film Horn 'Ok' Pleassss.

Dutta had said she raised the matter with the Cine and TV Artistes Association in 2008, but alleged that no action followed because the matter was treated as a criminal issue.

In October 2018, her lawyer, Nitin Satpute, submitted an application to Mumbai’s Oshiwara police station seeking narco-analysis, brain-mapping and lie-detector tests for Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang.

Patekar denied the sexual harassment allegations. In June 2019, police cleared him of the charges, according to reports.

Dutta’s latest comments have brought renewed attention to the controversy, years after the allegations first surfaced and amid reports of Patekar’s death at the age of 75.