Photographer thrashed on sets of Ranbir Kapoor's film 'Bombay Velvet'

Ranbir Kapoor

A photographer employed with a city-based newspaper has filed a police complaint accusing bodyguards and bouncers of a Bollywood film production unit of manhandling him while he was on an assignment yesterday.

Sources said the photographer was assaulted after he clicked pictures of Ranbir Kapoor's new look for the film, which was being kept under wraps. File pic

The alleged incident took place at Dadar Parsi colony late evening during the shooting of Anurag Kashyap's Bombay Velvet, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma. According to sources, "The lensman was assaulted by bouncers on the set after which he approached the local police station to file a complaint against them.

They tried to snatch his equipment and were forcing him to delete the pictures," adding, "it was Ranbir's new look for his role in the film that has not been revealed yet, which probably angered the crew." When contacted the lensman said, "I am in the hospital undergoing a medical check up. Please ask the police officials about the case."

Plot thickens
The producers of the film, however, have a different story to tell. Producer Madhu Mantena said, "The lensman was taking pictures of the set and the actors without taking permission. So the production staff and the security guards took him to the police station.

Outside the police station, there was a scuffle during which the photographer slapped one of the security guards and fled. I am told that he [photographer] later returned to the police station and filed a complaint after he got scared the producers would take action against him."

It is not clear if the producer intends to file a case of trespassing against the lensman. Meanwhile, Raghvendra Madanlal Thakur, senior police inspector from Matunga police station, said, "We have recorded the statements, but are still deciding upon the sections to be charged. Interrogations are still ongoing."

It's a lie. The photographer slapped the production person. He was taken to police station and he pulled out a dalit card and counter accused. Ranbir was not even there when the incident happened. Anurag kashyap

Anurag Kashyap, who is the director of the film said, "It's a lie. The photographer slapped the production person. He was taken to police station and he pulled out a dalit card and counter accused. Ranbir was not even there when the incident happened".

(Inputs by Sagar Rajput)