The reported death of veteran actor Nana Patekar on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75, following a cardiac arrest in Goa, has brought renewed attention to India’s #MeToo movement. As tributes pour in for the actor, singer Chinmayi Sripada has spoken out against celebrating his legacy without acknowledging the sexual misconduct allegations previously made against him. She has also reiterated her support for actresses Tanushree Dutta and singer Sona Mohapatra.
Chinmayi Sripada Stands With Tanushree Dutta
The renewed debate centres on allegations made by Tanushree Dutta against Nana Patekar in 2008, which received widespread attention during India’s #MeToo movement in 2018.
Dutta accused Patekar of harassment and intimidation on the sets of the 2009 film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. According to her allegations, the actor insisted that she perform inappropriate intimate dance steps that were not included in her contract.
She also claimed that Patekar grabbed and pushed her physically. Dutta further alleged that after she refused to comply and left the set, members of a political party were called to intimidate her, resulting in damage to her car. Patekar repeatedly denied the accusations. In 2019, the Mumbai police closed the case, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
Following the news of Patekar’s reported demise, Dutta referred to him as “Evil Dead”, maintaining that his death did not erase the trauma she said she had experienced. Her remarks attracted criticism, prompting further discussion about how survivors are expected to respond when someone they have accused of misconduct dies.
Sripada questioned the expectation that Dutta should remain silent or express conventional condolences despite her allegations against the actor.
Chinmayi Amplifies Sona Mohapatra’s Message
Sripada also showed her support for Sona Mohapatra by reposting the singer’s message. Mohapatra had shared an assistant director’s account describing alleged sexual misconduct by Patekar during the production of two other films. The account referred to incidents separate from the controversy surrounding Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss.
Reacting to the numerous tributes being shared for the actor, Sripada wrote, “Those who are constantly singing praises of Nana Patekar need to acknowledge he had molested and it was NOT a one-time behaviour.”
Her statement challenged the tendency to focus exclusively on a public figure’s achievements following their death while overlooking allegations of past misconduct.
Chinmayi Sripada’s Continued Support for the #MeToo Movement
Sripada has consistently voiced her support for the #MeToo movement and has publicly stood alongside women who have spoken about alleged misconduct within the entertainment industry. Mohapatra has also been vocal in raising concerns about influential figures and accountability in the industry.
Their continued support highlights the debate over how allegations of sexual misconduct are addressed, particularly when public tributes and discussions about a person’s legacy follow their death.
The controversy surrounding Patekar’s reported demise has once again brought the experiences and voices of those who have made allegations into focus, underscoring the continuing discussion about accountability and the treatment of survivors.