The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly condemned actress Tanushree Dutta's 'Evil Dead' remark about the late actor Nana Patekar, made following his demise on Thursday, 9 October 2026. The industry body described her comments as insensitive, objectionable, and shameful, and called on her to exercise restraint when speaking about the deceased.

AICWA's Statement in Full

In an official statement, the association said: AICWA strongly condemns Tanushree Dutta's 'Evil Dead' remark on the passing of legend Nana Patekar — a Padma Shri awardee, a veteran who served the nation during the Kargil War, and the artist whose Naam Foundation stood by farmers' families in distress. The association paid tribute to Patekar and expressed solidarity with his family.

The statement added: 'At such a time, Tanushree Dutta's statement on social media, in which she used the words 'Evil Dead,' is deeply objectionable, insensitive and shameful. To use such words for a person after his death goes against basic humanity.'

AICWA also noted that no one in the film industry had made such a remark after someone's passing before this. 'Until today, no one in our film industry has made such a statement after someone's passing. You are the first, and we pray you will be the last,' the statement read.

The Remark That Triggered the Backlash

In a video shared on social media on Thursday, Dutta referred to the late actor as 'Evil Dead' and called him a 'Shaitaan'. The remarks came on a day when the film fraternity and large sections of the public were mourning Patekar's passing. AICWA further criticised Dutta for discussing her own professional plans — reportedly a trip to Lucknow for an event — on the same day, calling it reflective of 'a very small mindset.'

The 2018 MeToo Controversy: Background

The tension between Dutta and Patekar dates back to 2018, when Dutta accused him of sexually harassing her on the sets of the film Horn 'OK' Pleassss in 2008. Patekar denied the allegations. The controversy became a flashpoint for the #MeToo movement in India, thrusting the broader issue of workplace harassment in the film industry into the national spotlight.

Industry Response and Context

AICWA's statement was signed by its president, Er. Suresh Shyamlal Gupta. The association represents a broad cross-section of cinema workers and has previously taken public positions on industry conduct and professional ethics. Notably, this condemnation comes amid widespread mourning in Bollywood following Patekar's death, with many in the fraternity paying tributes to his body of work and his philanthropic efforts through the Naam Foundation.

The episode raises questions about the limits of public expression in the wake of a death, particularly when the deceased and the speaker have unresolved public disputes. How the industry navigates this tension — between honouring the dead and allowing space for contested histories — is likely to remain a subject of debate.