With due' respect to the star

She is bold and beautiful and does not shy away from courageously speaking her mind and standing up for her rights. Aindrita Ray is a voice to reckon with in a male-dominated industry. Now, the actress is being dragged into yet another controversy.

The actress who is presently busy shooting in Switzerland for her big ticket entry into Bollywood, has reacted sharply to reports that she has chosen to stay away from promotional activities of a Kannada movie, and that she has demanded an ‘extra’ Rs 5 lakh to be a part of those activities.

According to reports, the team of Melukote Manja, written and directed by Navarasa Nayaka Jaggesh, is upset with Aindrita for choosing to remain away from promotional activities of the film, which is scheduled for release soon. They have accused her of allegedly demanding ‘extra’ remuneration of '5 lakh for being a part of the promotions.

While terming the report as untrue, the actress reacted saying, “It’s a sad state of affairs when one actor tries to tarnish another actor’s image for personal gains and promotional strategies. Extremely saddened.”

Speaking to Bengaluru Chronicle, Aindrita says that she was both shocked and surprised to learn about the allegations. “It is completely ‘untrue’ that I have demanded an extra sum for taking part in the promotional activities of Melukote Manja. All I have asked for is the due amount to be paid on completion of the movie. I have not demanded anything extra. The shooting of the movie was completed one-and-a-half years ago with just a song pending. I was told that the due amount would be paid after completing the song. However, the song shoot never happened, and was cancelled. Now, they have decided to release the film. I was not aware of any promotional activities,” she says.

“Moreover, I am shooting for a Hindi film in Switzerland. How do they expect me to participate in the promotions when they have suddenly decided to release the movie, which was wrapped up one-and-a-half years ago?” she questions.

Expressing displeasure, the actress asks, “I do not like to blame any person but why are attempts being made to tarnish my image for no fault of mine?” Before getting back to her shoot in the gorgeous locales of Switzerland, the actress says that she luckily has all the text messages asking for her due amount to prove that she has not asked for anything extra, only the dues which are her rightful remuneration after the completion of the movie.

Actor and director Jaggesh when contacted, said, “I do not want any controversy. The financial issue is between the producer and the actress. I am just the actor and the director. As a director, I invite everyone concerned with the film for promotions. All I want is to see my film release without any hindrance. The producer has informed me that he has so far paid '10 lakh to the actress, and about the rest, I have no knowledge.”