Nana Patekar reportedly died of a heart attack in Goa on October 8, at the age of 75. Following the news, Tanushree revisited the allegations she had made against the actor, prompting fresh reactions from the public and the entertainment industry.
In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Malhar made it clear that he did not intend to engage in a public exchange over the comments. He maintained that the matter had already been dealt with through the legal system.
“Without naming anyone, I want to say that the case people are bringing up unnecessarily is already over. Judiciary se clear hua hain, case khatam ho chuka; phir bhi bol rahe,” Malhar said.
He also expressed that he had no intention of responding directly to those continuing to discuss the issue. “Aise logo ko mein unko kuch nahi boluga; joh sach hai wahi rahega, bhagwan unka bhala kare,” he added, suggesting that he would rather leave the matter where it stands.
The allegations against Nana date back to 2018, when Tanushree accused him of sexually harassing her during the filming of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss. The controversy became a significant part of India’s #MeToo movement. Nana denied the allegations.
In June 2019, Mumbai Police submitted a closure report citing insufficient evidence to prosecute the actor. The legal proceedings were subsequently brought to a close in 2025. However, the closure of the case should not be interpreted as a judicial determination of whether the alleged incident occurred.
After Nana’s reported death, Tanushree made several controversial statements. She questioned why a prayer meeting had not been held and raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death. She also alleged that his death might have been staged and suggested that a DNA test could establish the truth. These claims remain unsubstantiated.
Tanushree later defended her position in a video, arguing that Nana’s death did not erase her allegations about their past. She used strong language to describe the actor and referred to his death as a positive development from her perspective. Her remarks attracted criticism, particularly because they followed so soon after the news of his death.
Nana Patekar’s last rites were performed with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje, Pune, on October 8.
With his latest statement, Malhar has addressed the renewed discussion while maintaining distance from the personal allegations and declining to name Tanushree. His response centres on the conclusion of the legal proceedings and his decision not to prolong the public dispute.
