14 July,2009 09:42 AM IST | | Manju Shettar
He threatens to walk out of e-Preeti if director Priyabharati does not say sorry; she flatly refuses to humour him
The e-Preeti imbroglio is turning into a nasty affair. The film's hero, Diganth, now wants director Priyabharati to apologise for making "false allegations" against him.u00a0
'Say sorry'
The actor has sent an email to the producer, Narayana Hosamane, a copy of which is with HiT LiST.
Diganth writes, "I have been patiently waiting to receive a telephone call or an e-mail from Priyabharati Joshi, the director of e-Preeti, about the confirmed dates for our film shoot in the USA and in India. So far (I) have no news from her, although you have informed me that I should be ready to fly to USA on July 14 in order to complete the remaining 20 per cent of the film shooting and I fully agreed to do so."
Diganth goes on to complain he is offended by Priyabharati's remarks to the press. He continues: "To my surprise, I started reading the complaints lodged by Priyabharati by twisting the facts and then making false accusations.u00a0 I have been getting too many SMS messages after (the publication of) newspaper articles that I consider very offensive and detrimental to my career in the Kannada film industry."
Disappointed: Director Priyabharati has studied filmmaking in the US, and is doing a romantic Kannada film. She is furious Diganth has not been turning up for his shoots
The second hero of Mungaaru Male, the biggest hit in the history of Kannada films, has more complaints against his NRI director: "Since Priyabharati has spoiled my reputation in the Kannada film industry and among my fans, I demand an apology from her at a press meet so that I can resume my acting in the movie.u00a0 In case Priyabharati refuses to apologise in a press meet, I will no longer associate (myself) with the movie no matter what happens. Please let me know whether I need to be in the USA on July 15 to fulfill my obligations only after receiving an apology from Priyabharati or should I just consider that e-Preeti does not need my presence anymore.u00a0 In any case, I will wait for your quick reply. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to act in your film."
Unfair, says director
Priyabharati alleges that Narayana Hosamane has been pressuring her to apologise to the actor. "He is insisting that I apologise, or leave the film. He has warned criminal proceedings against me if I don't agree to his conditions," she says.u00a0u00a0u00a0
She adds that the schedule at Jalahalli Cross on Tumkur Road, which was to be completed last week, had to be cancelled because Diganth failed to report on the sets. "We had got the costumes ready. But I was informed by the choreographer that he would not come," she said.
Furious about the young hero's "attitude", the director insists that she has nothing against Diganth personally. "Professionally, he is a creative actor and he is always fine on screen. But his refusal to report on the sets baffles me," she remarks.
'Will fight it out'
Unhappy that she is being "forced" to sign a 'no objection' letter while relinquishing her role as director,
Priyabharati says the title is registered in her name. "I am prepared to go to the KFCC to solve the problem," she says.u00a0u00a0u00a0
"I have no problems about apologising to Diganth Manchale for any false accusation I have made against him.u00a0 However, I do not think anything that I have said can be described as 'false'. I would like to know why Diganth hasn't answered a single phone call of mine since I landed in Bangalore on June 20?" she wonders. Clearly, there is more drama in real life than on screen here. MiD DAY tried to call up Diganth several times over the past two days but his phone was switched off.
