Sanjay Dutt threatens to sue Canadian daily for defamation
- IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,August 14 2004]
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt says he would sue for defamation a Canadian paper that has labelled him a terrorist.
Calgary Herald, a leading daily in Canada, has allegedly branded Sanjay Dutt a terrorist from India and wondered about the wisdom of allowing such elements into the country.
"It was a long half-page article ripping my reputation into bits. I've never been more hurt in my life," Sanjay Dutt told IANS from Los Angeles sounding acutely upset. He left Calgary where he was shooting for Anubhav Sinha's "Dus".
"I'm consulting lawyers over here to see how best to tackle this situation. Yes, I've decided to sue the Calgary Herald for defamation. Enough is enough. Don't you think I've taken enough crap?
"They've spoken about my Islamic links and called me a terrorist. Which journalistic ethic allows such liberties? How can they simply damn me this way? It isn't as though any of the charges against me at home have been proven.
"I have full faith in our judiciary and I'm sure I'll get justice. But before I do, who gives this Canadian paper the right to condemn me so seriously? I went as a guest of the Canadian government. This is not how one behaves with a guest."
Sanjay is quick to point out that he has completed his portion of the shooting for Anubhav Sinha's "Dus".
"I believe it's been reported in the Indian press that I left abruptly from the shoot. Actually my shooting was over. But, yes, I did leave much before I was supposed to. Why stay in a country where your credentials and integrity are questioned?
"I want to know one thing. Where in the world is an individual branded a terrorist until he's proven guilty? I couldn't believe the things written in Calgary Herald. They didn't have basic facts about my case right. They said I was caught with ammunition! I think the best decision I've taken is to sue the paper. I won't allow my integrity to be questioned any more. I've had enough trial by the media."
Sanjay Dutt returns to India Aug 18.