Guwahati: Assamese filmmaker Rosy Borah has accused well-known film critic Utpal Datta of sexual misconduct at a private gathering earlier this year. Following her revelation, other women have come forward with similar allegations.
Borah said the alleged incident happened in January during a wedding anniversary celebration hosted by Datta and his wife Namrata. She attended the event with her daughter after 10 PM and described the couple as respected hosts she had known for a long time.
Borah said the situation escalated after a man approached Namrata Datta, asking her to stop her husband from calling his wife due to personal family issues. She claimed Namrata dismissed the concern, saying her husband was influential, had many female acquaintances, and was often contacted by women.
Shortly afterward, Borah alleged that Datta touched her back in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. She said she immediately stepped away, shaken by the incident, especially in light of the earlier comments about his social reputation.
Initially, Borah stayed silent for nearly two months, unsure how to respond. She later decided to speak out publicly, saying she wanted to prevent similar experiences for her daughter and others in the future.
After her account was shared online, multiple women reported that they had previously received inappropriate messages or advances from Datta.
Separately, a costume designer claimed that around seven years ago, Datta had asked her for revealing photographs under the guise of an interview. She shared screenshots of the conversation, though their authenticity has not been independently confirmed.
Borah also stated that after her story went viral, Namrata Datta blocked both her and her daughter on social media.
Utpal Datta is a well-known film critic from Assam, awarded nationally and at the state level, including Best Film Critic at the 71st National Film Awards. He has written books on cinema, contributed to newspapers and journals, and formerly directed Guwahati’s Chalachitram Film Festival under Vishwa Samvad Kendra before resigning.
However, Utpal Datta has not made any public statement regarding the allegations so far, and further updates on the situation will be provided as more information becomes available.