Shraddha Takes Panga With Priyanka's Cousin

Priyanka Chopra’s distant cousin Mannara, aka Barbie Handa, has landed herself in a controversy of sorts. She has been accused by her Zid co-star Shraddha Das of beating and bruising her under the pretext of action scenes. It seems the actresses hit it off well during their auditions and the initial workshops before filming began but things soured between them soon after.

Says Shraddha, “I dont know what went into her. I dont think there was any reason for her to feel insecure of me because we knew our roles from the word go. She has an enviable role and so do I. But its strange on her part that when shes asked to enact that shes hitting me, before the camera, she started hitting me for real. She, despite warnings from Anubhav and Ratna Sinha and me, wouldnt fake it. She even pushed me off the stairs. She once hit me hard with a real wooden stick...It hit me near my right eye. She would always catch me unaware. The shooting was cancelled that day and I was nursed in the room all night. But after that, I realised that she was purposely doing it. And ever since then, we have maintained an arms distance at least.”

The actress insists that though the press thinks its a publicity stunt for a film, which is small on budget and has been disowned by its director, the incident is not a part of the campaign. She points out that barring the first screening and a music launch of the film, she hasnt been part of any promotional activity. I requested Anubhav sir to keep me off the promotions because I didnt want to go anywhere near Mannara, sighs Shraddha, who thinks its a brave decision on her part to give out details of her fight with Priyankas cousin.

Priyanka Chopra, on the other hand, came all out in support of her distant cousin Mannara. At an event recently, she stated, I know the scene people are talking about. But let me tell you, such incidents always happen on sets. I have been bruised so many times. I dont think its such a big deal. When asked about being protective of her family in showbiz, the National Award winner says, Im always there. Meri family se koi panga nahi le sakta (nobody can dare to trouble my family).

Shraddha responds to this pleading that she has nothing against the former Miss World, more so because they have Madhur Bhandarkar in common. Everyone who worked on the set thought Priyanka is a well-brought up person but Mannara isnt. Shes not professional. And I have just met Priyanka twice in my life. Why would I have anything against her? Id be happy to work with her, says Shraddha who is disgruntled at the thought of sharing screen space with her former colleague Mannara again.

Mannara on her part, ensured, that the press makes a note that she loves and cares for her co-stars. She said, I love my co-stars. I have nothing against anyone. The rest my crew can tell you about.

Even if you paid me the galaxy as a fee, I wouldnt work with Mannara ever, rues Shraddha when told about Mannaras words at a recent press conference. I know she can never apologise and she will never change. The good thing is she has learnt to fake her emotions for colleagues. Shes gone around telling the world how sweet I am and how friendly we are. The truth is, she placed people between us at the private screening we had to show the world how distant we are! Her family and all the guests rushed to congratulate me, while she nursed her broken ego all evening that day! Poetic justice maybe!