Back in Mumbai over the weekend, Nawazuddin Siddiqui would rather forget what happened during his trip to hometown Budhana in Uttar Pradesh. But the actor comes clean on a recent spate of controversies
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Back in Mumbai over the weekend, Nawazuddin Siddiqui would rather forget what happened during his recent trip to hometown Budhana in Uttar Pradesh.
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First, he found himself embroiled in a dowry and domestic abuse case filed by his brother's wife, Aafreen, who alleged that he kicked her in the stomach. Second, he was forced to pull out of a Ram Leela programme, something that had got him hooked to acting, after right wing activists objected to his participation on religious grounds.
With back-to-back controversies, the actor would understandably be shaken, but he insists he isn't.
Edited excerpts from a chat:
How would you describe your current state of mind?
I am relaxed now. People in the village know exactly what happened; they know the truth. I was dragged into the domestic abuse case. As for not being part of Ram Leela, I understood the situation; peace had to prevail.
You visited your hometown after long, but it was far from memorable.
Yes, I was looking forward to a break after a long gap. It's been years that I spent so many days back home. I thought I would catch up with everyone as I had time off, and all of this happened.
What do you think made your sister-in-law accuse you of domestic abuse?
It came as a shock. When she levelled allegations, it became big news. But now that the truth is out, the news has suddenly fizzled out. I have nothing against the girl. In fact, I had played matchmaker and organised the marriage earlier this year. The girl is from Delhi, but her relatives are in Budhana. I have known her family since long. Her allegations are false. She did it (filed harassment case) at the behest of her uncle. He was siphoning off money and she fell prey to his plans. The night the incident took place, they thought everyone had gone to sleep. Her uncle turned up at the house and created a scene. They ran away with all the gold jewellery that was given to her during
her wedding. They probably assumed that the CCTV camera at home was not working, given frequent power cuts in the village, but thank God, the inverters were on. Everything has been captured on camera.
So, you never kicked her?
I do not raise my voice even with my wife (Anjali), so where is the question of kicking her in the stomach? I do not want to say anything in my defence; the truth will tumble out sooner rather than later. Almost 80 per cent of such (domestic abuse) cases are cooked up.
Do you think you are paying a price for being a celebrity?
Back in the village, I am like everyone else. Yes, they dragged me into it because they knew they would get attention. They went to the cops and called the media; they had a plan in place.
So, you are blameless?
I have nothing to hide; my conscience is clear. The law will take its own course and truth will prevail.
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