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."
Preeti is a liar: Bhandarkar
Saturday, September 04, 2004 18:41 IST
