Rahul Raj opposes Kamya's film on Pratyusha Banerjee
Kamya, however, remains unperturbed and is standing firm about going ahead with the release.
A year ago, TV actress Pratyusha Bannerjee’s alleged suicide shook the industry and audiences alike. At the time, it was the actress’ boyfriend, Rahul Raj, who was accused of abatement. One of Pratyusha’s close confidantes at the time was Kamya Punjabi. Now, with the anniversary of the Balika Vadhu actress’ death looming on the horizon, fresh controversy has broken out between Rahul and Kamya. The latter is all set to air a short film, named Hum Kuchch Kah Na Sakey, which she claims mirrors Pratyusha’s life. Pratyusha herself plays a part in the film. Rahul has rubbished the film completely, and has even filed a written complaint with the cyber crime cell and the Versova police station, for defaming him in the film, with the hearing set to take place today at the Dindoshi court.
Rahul, whose rage is apparent when he speaks about the matter, reiterates that Pratyusha had never shot such a film with Kamya at all. “The short film is fake and tampered. They have used old footage of Pratyusha from the Sony show Hum Hai Na. In all her statements given to the police, Kamya has stated that she has not met Pratyusha in the last six months. So her claims of shooting the video one and half months before her death are rubbish. Till Feb 27, 2016, Pratyusha was shooting with me for the reality show, Power Couple. So, it is clear that Kamya never shot the film with her. She can’t even give the exact date and time when the film was shot,” says the actor indignantly.
Kamya, in the meantime, is equally stubborn in standing her ground. She asserts that her friend’s demise is not something she needs or would use simply for publicity purposes. “I have a certain reputation in the industry. I don’t need a dead friend to garner publicity. Everything I have earned over the years is through my own hard work— which is enough for me.”
The Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki actress shrugs off the police complaint, stating that she hasn’t even been contacted by the authorities as yet. “I haven’t received any intimation from the police so far. I know for sure that Rahul hasn’t filed an FIR —just a hand written complaint. Whatever it is, my lawyers are dealing with it,” she says.
Kamya is determined that the film will be aired. “The film will see its release. I have invested all my time to promote the film with the sole intention that we will hand over all the money that we get, to Pratyusha’s parents. Rahul is scared because the film coincidentally mirrors Pratyusha’s life and her tryst with depression,” she declares, adding that Rahul should have no say about what happens with regards to Pratyusha anyway. “He’s not Pratyusha’s blood relative or husband. Since her untimely death, he hasn’t even bothered to reach out to her parents and find out how they are doing,” she rues.
When asked if this is true, Rahul replied, “Why will I inquire about them or be in touch with them? They filed an abetment to suicide case against me and called me a murderer. They have kept all her jewellery and have picked up a loan of 70 to 80 lakhs in Pratyusha’s name.”
With the Pratyusha Bannerjee suicide case coming for hearing on May 2, and the release of the film set for April 1, the controversy seems to be far from over, specially with the threat that Rahul parts with, “Tell Madame Punjabi she will pay for all her deeds.”