Madhur Bhandarkar counters Preeti Jain's new charge that he's got the underworld to threaten her.

Already charged with rape by Preeti Jain, director Madhur Bhandarkar faces new allegations from her that he's behind underworld threats she's receiving. "She's lying about these threats. She wants to stay in the news and that's why she comes up with new allegations."

However, Bhandarkar concedes that he knows Preeti and first met her in 1999. "A lot of people come to me for roles and she was one of them. I met her on and off and she kept pestering me for a role. Finally, I told her there wasn't a role for her in my film. It's then that I got a legal notice ."

Bhandarkar claims the legal notice didn't mention the word 'rape' as alleged by Preeti later. "The notice stated that I hadn't fulfilled my promise to make her a leading lady in my film; so, they were suing me." Bhandarkar maintains he's being framed. "She's a liar. Her film Bikaoo , canned for five years, has suddenly found a buyer -- she's achieved some purpose. The case is subjudice; I'm waiting for justice."

Meanwhile, the director will continue having strong women characters in his films. "So what if a woman gave me trouble? Women in my life have given me support too."