A Tollywood actor has taken legal action against director Debaloy Bhattacharya, sending him a legal notice that demands an unconditional public apology within seven days. The notice stems from allegations that the director sexually harassed her in 2020. Bhattacharya has denied the accusations, calling them false and a deliberate attempt to defame him.
Allegations of Misconduct at a Post-Wrap Party
Addressing the media on Monday, the actor accused Bhattacharya of attempting to outrage her modesty by using criminal force during the post-wrap party of his web series, ‘Pabitra Paapis’. She claimed that while intoxicated, he dragged her into a vacant room. She managed to escape, but the trauma persisted. She also alleged that he continued making derogatory remarks about her until 2026 and tried to systematically damage her career by leveraging his personal contacts and influence in the industry.
Legal Notice and Public Statement
The legal notice stated that she had shared her experience in the comments under Bhattacharya's May 11 Facebook post about professional integrity. According to her, the post was deleted immediately. Six days later, at a premiere, he made further derogatory remarks about her in public. “I have sent him a legal notice where I have asked him to tender an unconditional public apology to me and issue statements in the media stating that all derogatory statements made by him about me are false and baseless,” she said.
Director’s Response
Bhattacharya denied the allegations, asserting that they were timed to defame him ahead of the June release of his film, ‘Bhugun’. He maintained that the accusations are baseless and part of a smear campaign.
About the Author
Priyanka Dasgupta is the features editor of TOI Kolkata. She has over 20 years of experience in covering entertainment, art, and culture. She describes herself as sensitive yet hard-hitting, objective yet passionate. Her hobbies include watching cinema, listening to music, travelling, archiving, and gardening.
