Exclusive! Ayushmann Khurrana on Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy: It’s high time everyone spoke about it

A lot has been said and written about the ongoing Tanushree Dutta-Nana Patekar controversy. While some B-Town actors have come out in support of the Aashiq Banaya Aapne actress, quite a few bigger names from the industry have either chosen to stay mum or evaded the question. We spoke to Ayushmann Khurrana, who shared his thoughts about the issue. Read on...

In the wake of Tanushree’s allegations against Nana, she has had to face a lot of victim shaming and trolling. What are your views? 

I think people who are trolling her should be blocked and banned from Twitter. They should show some empathy. At the same time, an equal opportunity should be given to both the sides to justify themselves. It doesn’t matter whether she’s taken time (to speak about it) or not. Whatever was wrong was wrong and there’s no time limit to it. Whether you want to come out in the open, it’s your prerogative. Let’s just be fair to both the sides, that’s more important.

Successful stars have evaded the question or not commented. Don’t you think it’s important for the men in power in the industry to speak up?

I don’t know. Sometimes you just want to be apolitical. It’s a tricky situation.

Why do you think people are so apprehensive about commenting on such issues? 

It’s high time everyone spoke about it. In this day and age, you should definitely do so as in urban cities, we talk about pay parity and gender equality. Rural India, however, is still lagging behind.