After actress-turned Samajwadi MP Jaya Bachchan spoke vociferously in Rajya Sabha against the attempts being made by certain people to “vilify” Bollywood, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday beefed up security outside the outside Bachchans’ bungalow “Jalsa” at Juhu in north-west Mumbai.
Taking serious cognisance of intense trolling that Jaya has come under after remarks in Rajya Sabha made in response to BJP MP and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan and actress Kangana Ranaut, the Mumbai police deployed police personnel outside Bachchans residence “Jalsa” to ensure against untoward incidents.
Simultaneously, the Mumbai Police Cyber Cell is looking into trolling and virulent social media posts that have targeted the Bachchans during the last two days. Talking to media persons here, Mumbai Guardian Minister Aslam Shaikh said: “I have told the Mumbai police to increase security for the Bachchan family which is being trolled and targeted viciously in the social media after her remarks in support of Bollywood in Parliament”
It may be recalled that actor Ravi Kishan said that there was a drug problem in Bollywood, Jaya Bachchan had hit back saying that some attempts were being made to “vilify” Bollywood.
“Just because of a few people, you cannot vilify the whole industry… I was really embarrassed and ashamed that yesterday one of our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the industry, spoke against the film industry. Jis thaali mein khaate hain usi mein chhed karte hain (they are biting the hand that feeds them),” Jaya had said in Rajya Sabha, without naming Kishan.
“At a time when the financial situation is in a depressing state and employment rate at the worst levels, in order to divert the attention of people, we are being flogged on social media and there is no support from the government…. the entertainment industry in the country provides direct employment to 5 lakh people daily and indirect employment to 5 million people,” Jaya had said.
Kangana hit back against Jaya through a nasty tweet: “Jaya ji would you say the same thing if in my place it was your daughter Shweta beaten, drugged and molested as a teenage, would you say the same thing if Abhieshek complained about bullying and harassment constantly and found hanging one day? Show compassion for us also”.
Coming out in support of Jaya Bachchan, actress-turned BJP MP Hema Malini said while talking to NDTV: “Bollywood will always remain in high esteem. No one can bring down in a flash over allegations like drugs and nepotism. ….I got name, fame, respect, everything from this industry... it feels really hurtful".
Jaya Bachchan has also come in for wholesome praise for remarks made in defence of Bollywood. Prominent among those who have appreciated her are: actresses Tapasi Pannu, Diya Mirza, Sonam Kapoor and filmmaker Anudhav Sinha.
Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP MLA and former chief minister Narayan Rane’s son Nitesh Rane has demanded protection for one Rohan Rai, a small-time actor who reportedly planned to marry his former live-in partner Disha Salian.
In a letter shot off to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Jr Rane demanded security for Rai. Rai is understood to be at Mangalore in Karnataka even since Salian’s alleged suicide on June 8 in Malad and the subsequent death of Sushant’s death on June 14 at his Bandra flat.
Disha was the manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Jr Rane has alleged that Rai could be a ‘key link’ in the entire case. He has claimed that Rai was never questioned in the case and his statement could be crucial to the CBI in unravelling the alleged link between the deaths of Salian and Sushant.
