Tanushree Dutta Maxim Photo-Shoot 2009

Tanushree Dutta is Mad, says Rakhi Sawant

Rakhi Sawant seems to be getting lucky with her growing item numbers in films. After featuring for an item number in Krazzy 4, Rakhi has been roped in for yet another item dance in Horn Ok Pleassss. Rakhi has replaced Tanushree Dutta.

It may be recalled that we had reported yesterday about a fracas between Tanushree and Nana Patekar on the sets of the film at the Filmistan Studios. Apparently, Nana passed some derogatory comment on Tanushree's dress sense and that did not go down well with the actress.

However, on Wednesday night, producer Sami Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang approached Rakhi to fill in for Tanushree. Our source revealed, "Siddiqui and Sarang met Rakhi on Wednesday night and explained their dilemma to Rakhi, who immediately agreed to do the item number. In fact, she has already begun shooting with Nana for the song."

When contacted, director Rakesh Sarang confirmed the news and said, "Tanushree refused to attend the rehearsals and wanted to start shooting the song directly. She also insisted that the song should be picturised only on her."

Without revealing details, Tanushree said, "Yes, there was an issue on the sets, but I didn't want to take this to the media. Is there anything wrong in that? But the electronic media was adamant on getting bytes from me and in the
Rakhi Sawant on the sets of Horn Ok Pleassss fracas my car was damaged. Moreover, if I only wanted to throw tantrums, I would have thrown them from the first day itself and not waited for the last day of the shoot. I rehearsed for five days for the song and was very well prepared for it."

Though Tanushree refused to comment on the 'issue', a source close to the actress revealed, "When the filmmakers had approached Tanushree for the item number, she had not only confirmed the design of her costume, but also the dance steps for the song. Tanushree was shocked when she learnt that the item songs involved intimate touching which was not agreeable to her. She had also heard about Nana's habit of passing comments but this time she experienced it herself."

Meanwhile, Rakhi Sawant said that she had no qualms about doing the item number with Nana. She said, "Sami Siddiqui and Rakesh Sarang felt that I was the right person for the song so I agreed to do it. I have great regard for Nana Patekar."

Tanushree Dutta's loss is now Rakhi Sawant's gain

There was a high drama on the sets of Horn Ok Please.

Apparently, the shooting was stalled when Tanushree Dutta, who was to do an item number, allegedly refused to perform with the film's lead, Nana Patekar. This enraged the producer, Sami Siddiqui, so much that he cancelled the shooting, and he ousted Tanushree from the film.

The actress will now be replaced by the original item queen, Rakhi Sawant. The song will be shot this afternoon.

The incident blew out of proportion when Tanushree refused to come out of her vanity van, thus delaying the shoot for over two hours. Irked by Tanushree's unprofessionalism, the producer cancelled the shoot.

While the reason for Tanushree's behaviour is unknown, a Mumbai tabloid has hinted that the actress' skimpy outfit was the cause of the spat. Apparently, a unit member made a lewd remark, which upset the actress. What added salt to injury was Nana Patekar's remark, which implied that the actress should have known better than to appear for the shoot, uncovered.

Horn Ok Please is directed by Rakesh Sarang, and also stars Muzzamil Ibrahim and Rimi Sen.

People Don't Respect Actresses, says Tanushree Dutta

Tanushree Dutta says she had no choice but to slap a man who tried to act fresh with her at an event in Bangalore and she doesn't regret it.

'I didn't speak about it because so much has been written about my best friend Koena Mitra and I and our experience in Mumbai on New Year's Eve. But what happened to me in Bangalore on New Year's Day takes the cake. I wouldn't wish even my worst enemy to start a New Year in this manner,' said Tanushree.

Koena was attacked by a stalker inside the Sahara Star Hotel on New Year's Eve after she had performed there.

In Tanushree's case it all started when the actress, who recently featured in Good Boy, Bad Boy and Speed, was invited to perform at the Garuda Mall in Bangalore for an event sponsored by Arvind Mills and Lee.

'I knew the organisers. So I gave up the chance to be with my parents, who've recently moved from my hometown Jamshedpur to Mumbai to be with me, and flew to Bangalore on New Year's. Little did I know what horror awaited me there!

'The security at the mall was practically nil. And there were thousands of people there. I was petrified because I was unaccompanied. On being assured that I'd be safe, I began to move to the stage. But on the way some guy broke the cordon and held my hand. I responded instinctively and slapped him hard.'

Tanushree doesn't regret turning violent.

'A girl, whether in the industry or out of it, has to protect herself. In our film industry I've realised actresses are not respected at all. On top of that I've this hot and sexy image. But I was wearing jeans and a top on New Year's Day.

'I was covered from head to toe. I was still attacked. I hate it when the moralists argue that some women 'look for it' by dressing provocatively. That's another reason I kept quiet about the incident.'

There's another reason too for Tanushree's silence.

'Those organisers of the Bangalore event haven't paid me yet. I thought they eventually would. But it seems they have no intention of doing so. I now got to know that the same people have also been less than fair with Bipasha Basu and other actresses. At least these other actresses didn't have to spend their New Year day in an alien city all alone stranded at the airport.'

That's what happened to Tanushree that evening.

'After the fiasco at the event, I refused to go on stage again when the organisers asked me to. Come on, just because I'm an entertainer it doesn't mean I don't have any dignity!

'I insisted they take me straight to the airport. They dumped me there and left. There I was, alone. And my flight, which was to leave at 11 p.m., got delayed by two hours. So I finally reached home at four in the morning.'

Tanushree's trauma raises the whole question of actresses and their safety at live events.

'The security at these events needs to be beefed up drastically. Not that I ever feel secure in public. No matter where I go, I always feel unwanted eyes following me. It's a dirty world out there,' Tanushree can barely contain her disgust.

I want to play a Psycho or a Drug Addict, says Tanushree Dutta

While 2007 saw her in four films- Raqeeb, Dhol, Speed and Good Boy Bad Boy - only one of them, Dhol, did decent business. But, Tanushree Dutta is unfazed. Ever the optimist, she is looking forward to her film Rama-The Saviour, which will see her in a completely different avatar. We caught up with the dusky beauty over a cuppa.
Excerpts:
Yet another New Year...Did you make any resolutions at the start of the year?
Not really. I don't have any resolutions. But yes, I have been eating too much and now since I have been working out for my film, I want to keep it that way. So my New Year resolution would be to keep fit and in shape.

You said you have been working out very hard for a movie. Is it Rama-The Saviour that you're talking about?
Yes, for my film Rama-The Saviour. I play an action oriented role. It's fun as I have never done action before. I had to workout and get fit for this role. It really tested my fitness!

Tell us about the movie...
It's a children's film with lots of adventure. There are quite a few animals too. We shot in Thailand. Can't tell you much about the story, but there is a lot of action. It's good because there are not too many films made for children here and kids are going to love it. Sahil Khan, who acted in Style, is playing the lead.

Seems like a lot of actress are turning to action! Priyanka Chopra is getting into the action mode for Drona and even Deepika Padukone's role in Chandni Chowk to China is a bit action oriented... Trust me; I don't think anyone has done what I have done with this film. Usually in Hindi films action for girls means slapping or pulling hair. But this film will see me in a proper action role just like the male actors. Of course, I haven't done them myself. All the safety measures were in place. So, I don't really do a summersault when I do it. Nevertheless, it has not been done by anyone before.

So, you are into action mode?
I would love to do more action roles. It's a lot of hard work but its fun. I enjoy doing it. Let's see how many gates open after this comes out. I am waiting for the results. For now, I rather show than talk.

We have quite a few heroines in Hollywood who are known for their stunts in action films. Do you have any favourites among them?
I like Charlize Theron. She has done some nice roles. She is a great actress.

So how did you train for this particular film?
We did train, but I would say it wasn't much. We didn't have much time before going to shoot. I just had a two-week training thing. It was not enough, but I didn't face problems as I have kept fit generally. We had a big international crew, which was really good at the work. They helped us.

Were you at any point afraid of the animals in the film?
Not at all. They are very cute and well behaved. In fact, the kids could be more dangerous than the animals. They came and did their work better than us! There are quite a few animals in the film actually. From pythons to snakes to chimpanzees! It was loads of fun.

You mean the kids were dangerous?
(Laughs) Not that. They are, in fact, more professional than most of us. Some children were more experienced than the rest of the crew and knew exactly what to do! Some of them have been facing the camera since they were just months old. They were better behaved than us. It was a pleasure working with children. They are quite a company and they know their work well. None of them would have mood swings and were much disciplined.

On a serious note, do you think that the film might have some problems with the animal rights activists?
I don't think so. The animals were treated really well. No one hit them once to get any thing done. There should not be any case of cruelty.

So did you have any dangerous stunts in the movie?
Since I have never done them before, they anyway appeared dangerous to me. But even then there were a couple of scenes which were tough. There is this scene when I had to do a summersault and land straight on my feet. I almost fell, but then there were suspenders and all other precautions were taken. So I did it fine and safe. There was one more scene when we had to cross this river with a strong current and we could not use any precautions as they could be seen otherwise. So we had to do it on our own. We managed it fine but it was tough.

So after turning an action girl, what next?
I want to play a psycho or a drug addict. I have always wanted to do such a crazy role. I think it would be quite a challenge.

You mean something like Urmila in Bhoot and Pyar Tune Kya Kiya?
Something like those roles. She did them pretty well. I would also like to do something like that in my own way.

Last year while your other films faded away, Dhol got you noticed...
I agree. Dhol is a film which got me much appreciation. Others didn't do well and I don't want people to remember them. They were bad films. Dhol was a chance to work with a great director like Priyadarshan. I have been getting most roles now from people who saw me in Dhol!

What exactly went wrong with Subhash Ghai's Good Boy Bad Boy?
I don't know. The script was good when it was brought to me. But I think something fell short while making it. So, it didn't do well.

Tanushree Dutta At Harris Imtiyaz Khan Painting Exhibition