You messed my life: Shweta Basu Prasad writes open letter to media


Mumbai, Dec 8 (Agencies) : The Metropolitan Sessions Court in Nampally in Hyderabad gave Prasad a clean chit in the case by withdrawing all charges and stay order against her that was put in force by a trial court.


Following the accusations, she was sent to a rescue home for 59 days.

This came after a prostitution racket allegedly involving her was busted.

In an open letter posted on her Twitter handle, she accused the media of messing her life.

"I grew up admiring some great journalists and reporters who, some times report even live from war-torn borders, natural disaster sites, terror attacked locations, etc. without hesitating a bit. These heroes inspired me to pursue my degree in Mass Media and Journalism degree too. I always thought, 'Wow! These guys, the media, actually risk their lives to bring us the truth'. And boom! You create a mess in my very life. Well done," she posted.

"I understand that everything was a chain of reaction and versions of the incident with several mis-leading stories were picked up along with my.....wait, NOT MY 'statement!', which said:"

"I have made wrong choices in my career, and I was out of money. I had to support my family and some other good causes. All doors were closed, and some people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money. I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act. I am not the only one who faced this problem, and there are several other heroines who have gone through this phase."

Following is the full text of her letter posted on her Twitter handle:


Dear, Members of Media,

I grew up admiring some great journalists and reporters who, some times report even live from war-torn borders, natural disaster sites, terror attacked locations, etc. without hesitating a bit. These heroes inspired me to pursue my degree in Mass Media and Journalism degree too. I always thought, 'Wow! These guys, the media, actually risk their lives to bring us the truth'. And boom! You create a mess in my very life. Well done.

I understand that everything was a chain of reaction and versions of the incident with several mis-leading stories were picked up along with my.....wait, NOT MY 'statement!', which said:

"I have made wrong choices in my career, and I was out of money. I had to support my family and some other good causes. All doors were closed, and some people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money. I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act. I am not the only one who faced this problem, and there are several other heroines who have gone through this phase."

Seriously?? Whoever you are, who imagined this statement, were you smoking funny cigarettes at work? Who talks like that? This sounds like a dialogue from some 80s Bollywood film. And why so many 'and' in that statement, go back to school amateur!

Thankfully my family, my friends and my circle of people didn't believe this statement. They know I do not speak like that. But, for the rest of India or anyone, anywhere on planet, for the last time: THIS IS NOT MY STATEMENT!

The problem with our society is, as long as I was given sympathy and everyone went 'awwww', 'poor girl', 'so sad' and so on, everybody was supporting me. But, as soon as people understand that they got carried away by a false statement and a girl of 23 can be strong and can stand on her own feet without any sympathies, the society feels that she is lying?? What's my fault if the news were the way they were? I cannot force anyone to like or respect me. These happen naturally. What happened was beyond my control.

After my detainment, I went straight to the rescue home where I stayed for 59 and a half days. (60th day, I came home), then where and how did I give a statement to media? My phone was confiscated, I made few last calls to Maa and few other close friends. I had absolutely no access to newspapers, television, internet or radio for those 2 months.

I had no clue what was going on outside Prajwala rescue home, Mehboob Nagar (outskirts of Hyderabad). Although I had a lovely time there teaching kids Hindi, English and Hindustani Classical vocals. I always do and I always will count those children in my prayers. I also read 12 books in those 2 months. Yes 12. Spent my time very productively.

But, after I came back home in Mumbai on 30th October 2014, I came across all the reports that had been around for those 2 months when I was absent and I was more amused than disappointed!

A report also said that 'the cops' said I gave that 'statement', which was denied by the Police in Hyderabad when I confronted them. One of the Police said, that no press notes were released by the department of Police, Hyderabad, of any such statement made by me. And anyway, Police is not allowed to reveal identity in such cases, so it was not possible by them to reveal any such statement. It's against the law. And how could they, firstly this statement does not exist. I was absent in the scene and that was an advantage for it to do the rounds.

And who are these business men in my life? I am just as curious as all of you!
So, here is the riddle: Why were the business men names who were caught 'along with me' not revealed?
Clue: Were there any business men with me in that room at the time of detainment in the first place?
Think Think.
PROVE IT!

I was in Hyderabad for Santhosham Awards, which was conducted on 30th August. I was never encouraged to get into commercial sex and no agent booked my tickets and stay there! My tickets and accommodation was done by the award event organizers. The hotel where I stayed with other guests of the award ceremony was a hospitality partner with the event. I still have the itinerary in my email inbox.

My parents did not want me to act after Iqbal (2005). My parents' bigger concern was me passing my 10th and 12th grade properly and not jumping into movies at 16! We don't dine at Wasabi every other weekend but that doesn't mean my parents have not done enough to bring me up well. I had the best possible education, birthday gifts, family vacations, sports clubs for playing a sport and enrolment at Music Institute for learning music (I learn The Sitar from Sangit Mahabharati, Juhu, Mumbai), everything that a normal upper-middle class parents can do.

I did few south films (Telugu and Tamil) when I was about 18 and then past 3 and half years I had been busy making a documentary film called Roots on Indian Classical music, starring interviews of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Shubha Mudgal, A R Rahman, Vishal Bhardwaj, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia to name a few.

In fact, in June 2014 along with a friend (Adhiraj Bose), I also co-produced and acted in a 12 minute short film named INT. CAFE NIGHT. This short film starred myself along with Shernaz Patel, Naseeruddin Shah and Naveen Kasturia, which is doing rounds of film festivals right now. I have been auditioning for acting assignments as well. So what 'doors' were closed? Please get your facts right before jumping into conclusions!

However, on 5th December 2014 the Metropolitan Sessions Court, Nampally, Hyderabad, gave me clean chit in the case and withdrew the charges and stay order against me made by the trial court. To all those who supported me through out all this, thank you so much, extending a big hug to all of you.

Anyway, enough said, enough heard. I have completely gone past the whole incident and I overlook everyone who picked up false statement(s) and encouraged mis-leading stories without verifying it's authenticity. I overlook, because this episode does not deserve any more attention!

  

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Comment on this article

  • BABA, BANGALORE

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Times TV did a photo misrepresentation of Justice PB Sawant. Times had to pay a hundred crore rupees. For the damage done by the media in this case, the payment should be many times more than that. Unfortunately, you need to be heavyweight to extract your dues from the media, which the lady is not. There is a lot of irresponsible reporting particularly when the other side cannot hit back.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeetendra hegde, mumbai

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    She is right...its her life and she can enjoy as per wish...carry on dear..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • William, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    SHWETA Very proud of the bold way you have stood the trial of character assassination by the so called educated media who waste no time to collect unsubstantiated report to run down a young girl.Look around and see the way young girls are demonised on tv , media , and the like.Be bold brave girl .GOD bless You

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Allen, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Very sad to hear that media is responsible for the character assassination of a 23 year old budding star! Under what circumstances she was caught and who is responsible for the things took place should be investigated and punished severely. Hope things will change for good for Shweta Basu!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, Malpe

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Dear,

    Now the past has passed from you, let it go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy. God Bless you.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • ER, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    I donot believe in what she says. Courts inability to prove the accusations doesn't mean she is innocent and pure. She was arrested earlier too and let off after warning. Some interest parties in the case fearing exposure have diluted the case and weakened it so she get clean chit and the other male accused remain at large.

    DisAgree [20] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan, Mangaluru

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Media these days become more of a business than true journalism. The raise of Anna Hazare, fall of UPA govt., through smear campaign added a booster to its own confidence. You can pick any story and narrate it in such a way that, people think all that is told is truth.

    The Shweta Basu Prasad story must be an eye opener. Today, she has to fight the world all by herself.
    She is proclaimed innocent today but already guilty in the eyes of the public. Media never takes any responsibility for running headlines, Actor caught running a prostitution racket, or a self conceived statement as indicated by the actress herself. She can not get back the life what she had earlier, that is for sure.

    It is time to make media accountable and penalize both the channel and the reporter for a pre-mature story.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Earlier when some scandal broke out, we used to hear of 'Politician-Builder' nexus or 'Politician-Industrialist' nexus but now it has become 'Politician-Builder-Industrialist-Media' nexus.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Previously media was boon to society ... But now it's bane ... Earlier an innocent was d as the terrorist by the media at Bajpe airport and now this incident ...who will pay for this ? Who will heal this bad remark ?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhi, byndoor

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    There should be a separate law in this matter that media or police should reveal any one's name (male or female) without court permission or at least until there is a prima facie case or evidence is made up. Nowadays media is careful or not revealing the name of female victims and even accused. But when it comes to male victims or accused they not only disclose there names but even their photos. There are lot of incidences where a male simply accused by some people out of jealousy or take personal revenge. But media or police without investigating the matter just reveals and defames them. I hope all the media especially the local newspapers learn from this incidence.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • P. Shirish Kumar Hosabettu, Muscat, Mangalore

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Its true now a days Media persons become lazy b#ms. They repeatedly show Celebrities news rather than poor public needy news. Media is giving too much importance to Celebrities, Politicians & on Religious issues. They are forgetting their responsibilities. Even some people publish filth language on their page as reader’s coloum. Most of the media are supported by some Political party & publishes one sided partial news.

    The days are gone, the true honest Journalism rare to find now a days. It is become so easy to comment on anyone through readers coloum with fake names or incomplete names. Media should not encourage such comments by anyone. They should publish the full name of the writers & public should know the names.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Media is like a double edged sword. It can be used for the good of Society. It can also be used to destroy a good person's reputation or it can make a bad person look very good. It can be used to swing public opinion in favour or against, correctly or falsely.

    There are bad elements and rogues everywhere and the Media is no exception to this.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nancy, Belman

    Tue, Dec 09 2014

    Come on girl... move on...

    The twist of the tongue is everywhere, not only with media...

    We say something and it passes through tongues in different way. Be courageous.

    Today's world is full of jokers. Fighting for caste, religion, piece of land etc

    But when sudden death comes the same tongues keep on saying -what is there in life?

    So be a good human being and lead-live a good life.

    All the best.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse


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