Bhubaneswar: Odia film producer Sanjay Nayak, also known as Tutu Nayak, Friday denied allegations of casting couch levelled by actress Prakruti Mishra a day before.
Addressing reporters, Nayak said that he will file a defamation case against Prakruti, another actress Jasmine Rath and the news channel that broadcast their statement Thursday.
“The industry knows who I am. After reading the comments on the video, I would like to thank the people of Odisha who have shown their faith in me. I have known Prakruti Mishra, daughter of Manmath Mishra, from her childhood. I have nothing to do with her,” Nayak said.
The producer went on to add that Prakruti could have been holding a grudge against him over the statements he made in the past involving actor Babushan and Prakruti.
“In the Babushan case, I had not commented on the issue for the initial four days……Later as a guardian, I had said that some people get work with the help of superstars, but someone should not ruin one’s family. In anger, yesterday she used bad words against me. This morning, I talked with my advocate. He has advised me to take legal action against the two actresses who said against me without proof and the news channel that broadcasted against me without proof,” Nayak told reporters.
It may be mentioned here that allegations of casting couch surfaced Thursday following damning comments made by Prakruti.
Prakruti Mishra in an interview to a local media Thursday said, “He has troubled many and has attempted character assassination of others. He has also mentally harrassed and defamed many…….He and people associated with him try to take advantage of the newcomers by luring them to give chance for acting.”
Besides, several WhatsApp conversation screengrabs of a group named ‘My Ollywood’ went viral on social media where another actress Jasmine Rath was allegedly complaining of harassment.
In a video statement Jasmine said, “I was requested to meet him at a club in Bhubaneswar. But I denied as it was scheduled at 10pm. Also, I was busy with another shoot. After I denied to meet, the very next day I was out of a project.”
Prakruti, meanwhile, confirmed that she never faced casting couch but was instead speaking up for other actors who look up to her.
PNN