Producer Samee Siddiqui Calls Dutt's allegations a 'Publicity Stunt'

After the actress Tanushree Dutta recently returned from America, she allegedly accused Nana Patekar for sexual harassment on the sets of Horn Ok Pleasss (2008). No sooner the actress approached the Oshiwara Police station seeking an FIR against Nana Patekar and others, the film's producer Samee Siddiqui filed an application with the cops on Monday. The producer stated that the matter had already been invested and two FIRs cannot be filed for the same incident.

The producer claimed that the allegations posed by the actress were a publicity stunt and since she is back in the country after a decade she wanted to make a comeback in the film industry.

The actresses complaint also mentioned Samee Siddique, Rakesh Sarang, and Ganesh Acharya. Samee further mentioned that he was not present on the movie set in Goregaon on the day of the alleged incident, yet his name has been dragged in the case. He also claimed about the dispute between the two over the alleged sexual harassment was reported to Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA), which was settled on July 23, 2008.

While Mumbai Mirror contacted Samee said his advocate would comment on the matter. The producer's lawyer said, "My client (Samee Siddiqui) has learned that Tanushree Dutta has asked the police to register a second FIR in the alleged sexual harassment case after a lapse of more than 10 years. But our point is that in 2008, the Goregaon police station had immediately registered an offense after she approached them. So, there is no need of a fresh FIR. Law says that once an FIR is registered, no fresh FIR is required if any additional information or section is to be added."               

Furthermore, as the actress had accused Nana of misbehaving verbally and physically during the shoot, she also said that Sarang, Samee, and Ganesh had ganged up against her, witnessing everything but did not interfere.

The director had backed up Nana in a statement which was issued last month. He said, "She misunderstood the enthusiasm of Mr. Patekar. There were so many people on the sets. If somebody wanted to do it, why do it in front of everyone?"      

With the pieces of the puzzle are still missing, it seems as if Tanushree-Nana controversy is not going to die down any sooner. The cry for justice still goes by as the controversy gets more puzzled and tangled.