Defamation case: Javed Akhtar appears in court, claims Kangana Ranaut lied in interview

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• Jun 14, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Well-known Indian poet and film lyricist Javed Akhtar appeared before a magistrate court on...

Digital Desk: Well-known Indian poet and film lyricist Javed Akhtar appeared before a magistrate court on Monday in connection with a defamation case he filed against Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut. In the case, which was filed last month, Akhtar was cross-examined by Ranaut's lawyer. Akhtar claims that Ranaut made derogatory remarks about him in a 2020 interview. The veteran lyricist called the comment "nothing but a lie."

On Monday, when Ranaut's lawyer, Rizwan Siddiquee, questioned about the interview, Akhtar stated, "What she said in the interview is a lie and nothing but a lie."

Ranaut gave the interview to a channel a month after actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide at his Bandra home on June 14, 2020. Rajput's death reopened the nepotism controversy in Bollywood and prompted an investigation into drug use in the Hindi film industry. 

In his complaint, Akhtar stated that he was surprised to see the interview on July 19, 2020, where Ranaut claimed his role in Rajput's death and referred to him and others as the suicide gang' of Bollywood.

In his complaint, Akhtar stated that Ranaut expressed her thoughts on the circumstances surrounding Rajput's death "without appearing to have any direct personal knowledge of the circumstances surrounding his death."

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The majority of the questions asked to Akhtar during the cross-examination concerned a 'personal issue' she had with one of her former co-stars.

Ranaut filed a counter-complaint, alleging that Akhtar summoned her and her sister to his home during the dispute and "criminally intimidated and threatened her."

During his court appearance, Akhtar rejected the claims, claiming that Ranaut had been invited to his home by another person known to both of them and that she was aware of the meeting's agenda. He also refuted that she had left the meeting dissatisfied, claiming that they had parted on a positive note.

Further, Akhtar stated that during their meeting, the actress was unwilling to listen to his point of view, so they talked about her work and films. Akhtar further mentioned that he has always admired her work and the films she has directed.