Fame Gurukul winner faces moral music on the house -Nirmal Mishra
Thursday, December 22, 2005 00:13 IST
The new, militant streak of moral policing by the city's housing societies nearly claimed a notable victim recently.
Ruprekha, the singer and winner of the popular talent-hunt reality show Fame Gurukul, was denied entry to the Anand Vihar Society building at Oshiwara even after she had paid the rent and deposits to the a flat owner there. Society secretary K Ashokan and president MD Pawar objected to her living in her newly-rented third floor flat.
On Wednesday, however, Pawar said the case had been sorted out. He said the society as a matter of rule had banned actors and people in the glamour industry from living in their building.
"There were several instances when they would come drunk and create a nuisance. We have experienced all that. But in any case, it has been sorted out and she's now been allowed to stay in the building," he said. Ashokan was on a visit to his village.
"We could not go to our flat for about four days because Ashokan had asked for identification and proof. But it was not our fault. We are new to the city and after paying money to the owner, we felt relaxed that at least our daughter will pursue her musical career peacefully," said Ruprekha's father Pradeep Banerjee. The Banerjees hail from a place near Dum Dum in Kolkata.
"I'm concentrating only on my work, which is music. When I came to Mumbai, the channel had taken care of my accommodation. If I do well, I'll buy a house of my own. I love this city. I don't want such things to distract me," said Ruprekha. She added that she wanted to be a playback singer in Hindi movies.
"I was touched when people told that they felt proud that Ruprekha had come to live in their building," said her father. Film director Raj Malhotra, who lives in the same building, said, "The Banerjee family is very sober. They are concerned about their daughter's security and career. We should help them establish Ruprekha in Mumbai. We are happy to have her as our neighbour."
The Banerjee family which just moved in a week ago is still to get the household together. "I'm a housemaker, and since my husband is a businessman, he'll go back to Kolkata while I take care of Ruprekha here," said her mother Kavita.
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