Ash walks out of 'Happy Birthday'

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joie de vivre

@joie de vivre

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Kunal M Shah

Flora Saini, the starlet who accused hotshot producer Gaurang Doshi of having brutally beaten her up, has found an unlikely supporter in the midst of her nightmare, and it is none other than superstar Aishwarya Rai. Rai, who recently finished work on Provoked, a film about domestic abuse, has decided to walk out of Doshi's next film, Happy Birthday, which she had signed opposite John Abraham. On Friday, after addressing the media with his version of his battle with Flora, Doshi — he has been arrested several times in the past few days and released on bail — told this newspaper that due to his problems with Flora Aishwarya Rai had decided against acting in his next film.

"I am aware of her intention to not do my film and if even after listening to my version of the truth she doesn't want to do this film I can't do anything about it," he said.

Doshi, who is incidentally well-acquainted with Ash's father-in-law to be — Bachchan acted in two of the films produced by Doshi, Aankhen and Deewar -Let's bring home the heroes — has been accused by ex-girlfriend of assault and battery, charges which he strenuously denies (see Doshi's interview alongside). He has also been warned by police that if he continues to harass Flora he will be externed from Mumbai.

But while his legal battle continues, Aishwarya has already made her stance clear. She has re-allocated the dates reserved for Happy Birthday to Karan Johar for a film to be directed by his assistant Tarun Mansukhani and in which she'll star with fianc Abhishek Bachchan.

Undeterred by losing his heroine, Doshi says he no longer cares. "If Aishwarya believes I beat up Flora even after I have declared my innocence then I can't do much. I have already spoken to a substitute actress and I have her dates. One thing is very clear: Aishwarya or no Aishwarya, I will go ahead with my film as per schedule."

Aishwarya herself remained unavailable for comment and her spokesperson Hari Singh too refused to comment on the issue.

Filmmaker Gaurang Doshi has described the controversy surrounding his problems with Flora Saini as a well planned conspiracy. He made the allegation at a press conference armed with documentary proof.

Kunal M Shah pinned him down for a Q&A.

Since how long do you know Flora Saini?
2004 when I was searching for girls to play belly dancers in a song for my film Deewar — Let's Bring Our Heroes Home. She refused to do the song.

So how did you become friends?
I was shooting the final schedule of Deewar in Jaisalmer when she called me on the hotel phone and started chatting. Basically, she was doing PRship.

What made you realise that there is a conspiracy against you?
In 2005, after she filed an affidavit in February in Oshiwara police station stating that all the allegations that her mother had made against me were false.

Why do you think you were framed?
In 2007, I was booked under section 325 (assault) on Feb 14. The next day, it was changed to 326 (assault with a weapon). She accused me of attacking her with a cell phone.

But she had injuries…
She spoke to mediapersons claiming to be suffering a jawline fracture. How can someone speak to mediapersons for 20 minutes after suffering a jawline fracture? And, if she was injured on Feb 14, why did the police register a non-cognisable offence and not an FIR?

Why didn't you sever ties with her?
If I did, I would never have known what is happening.

You never had a relationship with Flora?
No.

Was Flora the reason for you separating from your wife?
No. My wife cited it as one of the reasons, but we were staying separately much before that. But I learnt that she was in touch with Flora.

Your wife was also part of the conspiracy?
Yes. I saw the cell phone bills of Flora were produced in court by my wife. How did my wife get the bills?

Did Flora ever blackmail you?
No.

Did she ever demand a role?
Yes. Recently, she wanted to be part of Happy Birthday, but I refused saying I do not mix friendship with business. It led to a huge fight. In any case, the film was launched one year back. Why did she not ask me for a role back then?

What's next?
I have been acquitted of section 376 (rape) of the IPC. Now it is her turn to face the music. I will file a defamation suit.

https://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&am p;sectid=15&contentid=2007033102484562f3d147b6

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Frequent Posters

joie de vivre

@joie de vivre

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

😆 😆 😆 Isnt it too obvious,in my opinion,she walked out of a small time producers' film to accomodate a KARAN JOHAR FILM...Amusing,the reasons stars come up with to walk out of a film..This controversy has existed for quite some time,its been a long time since the starlet accosed the producer...Funny,why Ash didnt walk out right then when the wannabe accused the producer almost a year ago🤔

Edited by joie de vivre - 18 years ago

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Sabeena Khan

@Fashion_2005

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

i am not surprise as she will only work with abhishek 😆

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loveanime

@loveanime

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 18 years ago

Yeah what is up with that, her creativity will be stiffled by just working with abhi, she might as well stay home.

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Sabeena Khan

@Fashion_2005

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Originally posted by: maragathm
Yeah what is up with that, her creativity will be stiffled by just working with abhi, she might as well stay home.

and i won't be surprised either if she decide to quit acting.

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vishal

@*vishal*

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

i wanted to see her with john, but anyways i agree with ash.

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raunaq

@raunaq

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Originally posted by: Fashion_2005

and i won't be surprised either if she decide to quit acting.

she might as well stay home, good for her 😆 😆 😆 who wants to watch ash/abhi movies 🤔

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vishal

@*vishal*

Inactive

Posted: 18 years ago

Originally posted by: raunaq

she might as well stay home, good for her 😆 😆 😆 who wants to watch ash/abhi movies 🤔

lol...meeeeeee.

there r many ash fans who would like to see them together.

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Leena

@jigglypuff726

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 18 years ago

i don't approve of domestic abuse. though i don't know what is the real reason behind ash's departure from this film, i do know that if it was me in her place, i'd have walked out of the film too.

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Ash walks out of 'Happy Birthday'

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