The death of a public figure often brings an outpouring of tributes, with audiences revisiting the performances that made them memorable. But when allegations of misconduct have long been part of that person’s public history, the conversation can extend beyond their work, raising questions about whose experiences are remembered and whose are pushed aside.
This tension has resurfaced in the film industry, where the debate over separating an artist from their art continues to divide opinion. While some argue that a person’s professional legacy should be remembered independently, others point out that celebrating the work need not mean overlooking allegations made by those who worked with them.
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has now criticised those praising Nana Patekar following his death, while extending her support to actor Tanushree Dutta and singer Sona Mohapatra. Re-sharing a post by Sona that highlighted an assistant director’s account of alleged misconduct on film sets, Chinmayi wrote on X, “Those who are constantly singing praises of Nana Patekar need to acknowledge he had molested and it was NOT a one-time behaviour.”
Sona had shared a comment attributed to an assistant director who claimed to have witnessed alleged sexual misconduct involving Patekar during shoots for two films other than Horn 'Ok' Pleassss. The account alleged that the incidents were concealed under the guise of performing scenes, leaving people on set unable to speak up at the time. The person also recalled confirming the account to a member of the Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) years later.
Questioning why women who speak about misconduct continue to face disbelief, Sona wrote, “How many witnesses will satisfy you? 10? 100?” She added, “Talent isn’t innocence. Charity isn’t character. Death isn’t sainthood.” Her post followed the backlash against Tanushree for describing Patekar as “evil dead” after his death on October 8.
Chinmayi had also defended Tanushree in an earlier post, noting that a journalist and an assistant director who were present during the 2008 Horn 'Ok' Pleassss shoot had publicly corroborated parts of her account. “If you were moved by Nana Patekar’s work - your feeling is valid and so is the fact that she was harassed. Demise doesn’t make one an angel,” she wrote, also drawing a comparison with allegations that surfaced after the death of Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj.
Tanushree had accused Patekar of sexual harassment during the filming of Horn 'Ok' Pleassss, allegations she brought back into public discussion during India’s #MeToo movement in 2018. Patekar denied the allegations, and the case was closed in 2019 citing insufficient evidence. The renewed debate following his death has seen actors and musicians, including Sandhya Mridul and Sona, speak out against the criticism directed at Tanushree.
