Doubt

A storm has been brewing. It's a conflict of Aonian heights. It's a tussle, which has got dark and dirty. We are talking about the controversy surrounding the alleged relationship gone horribly awry between Vikas Gupta and Parth Samthaan.

Vikas and Parth, once good friends, are now sworn enemies. The entire hullabaloo started with Parth sending legal complaint notice to Vikas, accusing him of molestation, threat on career, abetment of suicide etc.Tellychakkar.com exclusively procured the copy of the complaint and you can access it here: (Parth-Vikas slugfest: Tellychakkar.com gets access to complaint document and legal notice)

Post that came flurry of articles from both the camps. Lot was said but nothing was spoken. The cloud of doubt and speculation loomed large and everyone wanted the warring parties to open up.

By opening up we don't mean PR fed information but answers to some tough questions. We called up Vikas and pitched a no holds barred interview'. After much rumination, he agreed. We also sent a similar text to Parth, asking him to take some real questions, but he is yet to respond. We begin with Vikas's interview but the lines are open for Parth to speak to us, anywhere, anytime. We would be more than happy to share his side of the story. Till then, heed this.

It was late in the evening when we met up at a suburban city restaurant. Vikas, producer and fiction head at &TV, walked in all busy chatting on his phone. The ambience was light with people chatting and chirping, but Vikas looked determined to tell his side of the story. Wearing a shirt that suited his solemn yet cheerful personality, he settled in for the interview. The hitherto light ambience turned a tad heavy, with a concoctive air of anxiety, energy and anticipation.

Good evening Vikas, thanks for speaking to Tellychakkar.com...

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell my side of the story. So let's begin.

Indeed...so how has life changed after the entire controversy and bad press surrounding you and Parth?

(Laughs) That's a very deep question. Life does change when you are accused of molestation, threat on life and what not. I think I am extremely affected given the fact that two people who were really close to each other are being talked about in public. Too much of bad mouthing, too much of negativity. My family has been targeted, my credibility has been targeted, my sexuality has been questioned, which have left me shocked.

Why did Parth send a legal notice? Do you deny all the accusations?

Now let me make it clear once and for all. Parth used my fame and strong hold in the industry to make a mark and gain popularity. I am not sure exactly why but it looks like from the latest turn of events he has been trying to extort money, gain publicity and threatening me to get rid of the past. He and his legal consultants thought I would be easy bait. They thought I will never come out in open. But they were wrong. When the cops sent me a summon, I showed them all the proofs and negated each and every complain of Parth. They agreed and let me go. That's why I am here today giving this interview. I thank God that I was wise enough to keep proofs with me (which I will reveal in time to come), or else an innocent man would have been incarcerated, because someone wanted a front page article on a paper. Had I molested Parth on December then why did he go partying with me later that month? Would you party with a molester? He is a liar.

Continue...

(Sips water) My lawyers showed me interviews that Parth has been giving to the media lately. It's all about how grateful he is, and he has no issues with me except non payment of fees. He suffers from split personality. It looks like he is on a PR drive. He thanks me, but I am not thankful to him. He says good things about me and the very next instant accuses me of molestation. He is not opening up on the real issue. I feel cheated and betrayed. And I am not going to budge this time.

What is the status on the legal battle now?

Parth has again sent me a legal notice but this time he has dropped majority of charges, 13 gone only one remaining. Now, it only talks about non-payment of dues. This shows he is lying. He has realised that he has made a mistake and the move has backfired. I will pursue my legal battle against him and when the time comes, people will come to know more about the entire issue. See, he targeted me because I had a position in the industry. He tried to exploit the scenario. But I have truth on my side. Truth always prevails.

You are very close to Ekta Kapoor. She confirmed about you being in a relationship with Parth. She also mentioned about being upset on her name getting dragged in the matter. What's happening there?

Well, I have had a word with Ekta. And not only her, I thank everyone who supported me, be it Karan Patel, Kushal Tandon, Karan Kundra, Karanvir Bohra and others. They did not take sides of personalities, but of truth.

What about you being in a relationship with Parth? What kind of relationship are we speaking about?

(Thinks) I don't want to talk about the nature of relationship at this point of time. neither I nor Parth have any obligation to talk about our personal life. I don't need to answer anyone, I don't care. But if legalities demand, I will open up, not before that. But I and Parth were very close and I shared a very cordial and warm relationship with him.

When you speak, there is a lot of emotion. Are you hurt with Parth's behaviour?

(Hmm) I am hurt and as I mentioned I feel betrayed. I trusted him the most. I supported him as he was very close to me. But when he gained fame, he became too big for his boots and tried to take advantage of me. I have supported him financially, even had a joint account with him. I have fought with the world for him and in return he stabbed my back. My biggest mistake was to trust him. Every time I tried to solve the issue, he went ahead and hogged limelight out of it. Even in Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan...( he stops)

What in Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan? Don't hold back. Share...

Okay. He got a movie offer and wanted to quit Yaariaan. He pleaded me to take him out of Yaariaan as he had other dreams and also found Niti (Taylor) to be a chut@#$. I fought with BBC and MTV and got him out. Later when his movie did not shape up, he went back to the show without telling me. He made a fool out of me. I tried to confront him but he made me a target and moved on.

Do you think the controversy will impact your career? There are talks of you being asked to leave &?

Zee group has been very kind to me. I have been open to my seniors and they have supported me throughout. Rumours are rumours. More than professional impact, it affects personally.

Initially I was shocked but not broken. But when summons came to my home, my mother was heartbroken and fans of Parth started maligning my mom, I was shattered. When it hit my family, it hit me the worst. I did not know what to do. I was cornered into becoming strong, I will fight till the end.

You work with lot of young actors. Given the charges, how will the scenario be in time to come?

I have already been impacted. I have worked for more than ten years in this industry and I have succeeded in life for my hardwork. Now people think that sleep with Vikas Gupta and you will get a role, which is so humiliating and wrong. I am getting objectionable pictures on Whatsapp from men. And it really hurts me.

How do you intend to change the perception?

I don't know, really. I am clueless. I hope time will be the healer. Parth has done great injustice to me. He has hurt my family. I have had enough. All he wanted was money and fame.

Where does it all end?

I want a public apology from Parth. He needs to tell the media that he was wrong. If not, I will continue my legal battle and gradually disclose all proofs that I have with me. I am not scared. I am with truth. It's about my dignity now. My credibility and reputation has taken a hit and if he doesn't apologise, he will have to answer the court and media. Know what, I spoke to Parth's mom to help clear this out. She heard me out and agreed that the case was wrong and Parth did it at the behest of the lawyers. She told me that she would try to sort it out but again I saw malicious tweets and social mentions against me. He is someone who has no respect for help, women or the profession.

In the future, will Parth and you ever be or work together?

Not at all. The cord has been cut. It's over.

Any last thoughts for the readers of Tellychakkar.com and the fraternity and fans at large?

For the fans and readers, please understand there is a difference between reel and real life. What you see on reel life as characters, is different in real life. Before judging, wait for the truth. For the fraternity, be very careful and cautious. If you are on the top, anyone can accuse you of anything. I have been cornered by Parth and his legal team to give this interview. I hope no one else faces a similar situation in life. And Parth, apologise publically, or else face action.