by Tanushree Dutta (born 19 March 1984) is a former Indian actress, model, and beauty queen. She rose to national fame after winning Femina Miss India Universe 2004, later representing India at Miss Universe 2004, where she placed in the Top 10 globally.
She appeared in several successful Hindi films from 2005 to 2010, including Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Bhagam Bhag, Dhol, and Chocolate. In 2018, she made headlines for reigniting her 2008 sexual harassment allegations against Nana Patekar—sparking the #MeToo movement in India.
| Full Name | Tanushree Dutta |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India |
| Profession | Former Actress, Model |
| Languages | Hindi, Bengali, English |
| Nationality | Indian (US permanent resident) |
| Education | Not publicly disclosed |
| Pageant Titles | Femina Miss India Universe 2004 |
| Miss Universe 2004 Rank | Top 10 (6th runner-up) |
| Sister | Ishita Dutta (actress) |
| Known For | Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Dhol, #MeToo activism |
Early Life & Pageant Success
Born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, to a Bengali Hindu family, Tanushree gained prominence after winning the Femina Miss India Universe 2004 crown. She went on to represent India at Miss Universe 2004 in Ecuador and placed in the Top 10, marking a major milestone in her early career.
Film Career
Tanushree made her Bollywood debut in 2005 with Chocolate and Aashiq Banaya Aapne, which became commercially successful. She acted in numerous Hindi films and also made appearances in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Key Films:
- Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (2010, Tamil) – Jyothi
- Aashiq Banaya Aapne (2005) – Sneha
- Bhagam Bhag (2006) – Anjali
- Dhol (2007) – Ritu
- Rokkk (2010) – Anushka
- Chocolate (2005) – Simran
- Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (2008) – Nitya Sen
Spiritual Journey & Hiatus
Following mental health struggles and alleged industry trauma, Tanushree took a break from acting and focused on spiritual healing. She spent time in ashrams, learned Vipassana meditation, and explored Buddhist practices in Ladakh, before eventually settling in the United States.
The #MeToo Movement in India
In September 2018, Tanushree accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss (2009). Though the incident was originally reported in 2008, it gained traction a decade later and became a catalyst for the Indian #MeToo movement.
Key Events:
- FIR filed in 2018 against Patekar, director, producer & choreographer
- Accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of misconduct during Chocolate shoot
- Media and eyewitnesses like Janice Sequeira supported her
- Legal action and public backlash followed
- In 2019, Mumbai Police gave a clean chit to Patekar
- In 2024, she criticized the Hema Committee report for inaction
Filmography Highlights
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Aashiq Banaya Aapne | Sneha | Bollywood debut |
| 2005 | Chocolate | Simran Khemu | |
| 2006 | Bhagam Bhag | Anjali | Hit comedy |
| 2007 | Dhol | Ritu | Comic thriller |
| 2008 | Saas Bahu Aur Sensex | Nitya | Social satire |
| 2010 | Rokkk | Anushka | Horror film |
| 2010 | Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai | Jyothi | Tamil debut |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Aashiq Banaya Aapne | Filmfare, Zee, Stardust, IIFA, Screen | Best Female Debut | Nominated |
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