I wasn't called to Hyderabad by any agent for commercial sex: Shweta Basu

Mumbai: Actress Shweta Basu, who was recently released from a rescue home to stay with her mother, has finally broken her silence on the unfortunate incident. In an interview with DNA, the actress explained what had happened.

Shweta was very upset that the media used a false statement and attributed it to her. She had no idea what was happening in the outside world as she had no access to any form of media. She said, “I never made that statement. I was in custody. I wasn’t allowed to speak to my mother and father, then how would I speak to the media?”

“Whoever made up that statement damaged my reputation by saying that all doors were closed on me—no such thing has happened and the film industry has always been very warm and welcoming to me—and that ‘people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money.’ These are outrageous lies that I never uttered.”

The actress explained that she wasn’t called to Hyderabad by any agent for commercial sex. She was in the city to attend an award function, and missed her flight the next morning. Her travel and stay was arranged by the organisers.

“I still have the ticket. I've been told that the agent has been arrested. The case is being investigated. I am a victim in the whole situation. There was a raid... I am not denying the incident. But the facts are not what they've been made out to be.”

Shweta was sent to a rescue home for children who are victims of human trafficking. At the home, she volunteered as a teacher and taught the children English, Hindi and Indian classical music.

The actress said she used her time productively and was always optimistic. “I was not depressed at all. Why should I be? I knew the truth. While I was in there I realised how lucky I was to have a family to support me. My parents have always wanted me to pursue a dignified career.”

During her stay at the rescue home she lost her grandfather. She was very upset as she was not allowed to attend the last rites.

“Thanks to the reports in the media my grandfather went thinking I had actually made those awfully wrong statements. Then my mother was running in and out of courts with petition after petition. She was confused. I wasn't even allowed to call her. Later, I was allowed one call a week when she'd only be crying and reassuring me.”

Numerous celebrities showed their support to the actress on various social networking platforms. ‘CityLights’ director Hansal Mehta even said he would love to work with her in his next film. But Shweta would not want to accept a role out of sympathy as people will just think she’s trying to cash in on the controversy.

She said, “I haven't yet got a call from him. I'd like to audition for Hansal Mehta and get the role only if I am suitable for it.”

Shweta stayed strong throughout and will not stop being an actress because of one unfortunate incident. She plans on resuming work as soon as possible. She will return to the post-production work of her Indian classical music documentary project.