This image was posted on Instagram by Priyanka Chopra
Highlights
- Priyanka says Prakash Jaju was in jail because he harassed her
- Priyanka said that showbiz can't be blamed for suicides
- She says that people should teach a lesson to those bothering them
Priyanka Chopra, in town to collect her Padma Shri from President Pranab Mukherjee, dismissed her former manager Prakash Jaju's claims about alleged suicide attempts as not credible and criticised the press for reporting his tweets some weeks ago. (Also Read:
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"First of all, it's so sad that Indian media has given credibility to the man, who was in jail because of harassing me, without checking the history who the person is. So, I have nothing to say because there is no credibility to this person, who media is giving credibility to," she told PTI.
Ms Chopra's comment is the first acknowledgement she has made of Mr Jaju's unsubstantiated claims, made in a series of tweets after the suicide of 24-year-old Balika Vadhu actress Pratyusha Banerjee.
Ms Banerjee's death re-opened the discussion on whether those who work in showbiz are more prone to depression. In 2014, actress Deepika Padukone went public with her struggle against depression and now runs a mental health foundation. (Also Read:
All You Want to Know About Deepika's New Campaign to Fight Depression)
Priyanka Chopra, however, finds it disappointing that fingers have been pointed at the entertainment industry.
"Why don't we talk about those women who commit suicide because they were harassed by the mother-in-laws or being beaten in their homes? Or they kill themselves because they are unhappy in their homes? It's so easy to turn around and say about the showbiz world," she told PTI.
Ms Chopra also condemned the gossip and rumours that have sprung up after Pratyusha Banerjee's death. "Nobody knows the truth. Nobody ever tried to find out what the poor 24-year-old girl was going through. And as usual, people are dissecting her life. People are unnecessarily talking about her, not giving her and family the respect they deserve right now," she said.
Pratyusha Banerjee's boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh has been charged with abetting her suicide.
Priyanka Chopra, 33, now returns to USA to film Baywatch, her first Hollywood movie. (Also Read:
Does Priyanka Chopra Wear the Red Swimsuit in Baywatch? Answer Here)