Shakib apologises to Ananta

Film star Shakib Khan has denied calling his colleague Ananta Jalil ‘mad’ in an interview to a national daily.

He claimed his remarks were presented negatively.

He on Wednesday told bdnews24.com: “It’s only natural for Ananta to feel disheartened because of this. Out of emotion he might have even decided to sue me. I am really sorry if I have caused some ill feelings.”

Regarding the interview, which triggered the controversy, Khan said, “The newspaper twisted my comment. What I said was in a positive way. The reporter who took the interview had said that Ananta challenged me in another interview to another newspaper.”

“I wanted to avoid the issue. I said everything in a positive way, but the meaning has become negative. I did not want this.”

The newspaper, which published Khan’s interview, might have quoted him saying so to entertain or draw the attention of its readers, claimed the film star.
“I protested that. They should not have used the word ‘mad’.”

The media communications manager of Ananta Jalil’s production house Moonsoon Films, SM Sajib, told bdnews24.com on Tuesday that the movie star was preparing to file a defamation suit against Shakib Khan for calling him ‘mad’ in the interview.

Sajid said they would send the legal notice very soon.

Ananta was ‘surprised’ and ‘frustrated’ after seeing Khan’s interview on the online version of that daily, he said.

Talking to bdnews24.com Wednesday about the lawsuit, Shakib Khan said, “I’ll fight them legally if they sue me. I won’t sit idle.”

Asked about challenging Ananta, Khan, he said, “I have no wish to start a rivalry with Ananta Jalil. Why will I intentionally say anything negative against him?”

Then he alleged that Ananta was the first to throw the challenge. “Ananta challenged me first. Why would he do that? What challenge?”

“I have no dispute with Ananta. He’s not my contest. We do not have any competition in last several years. I do not get involved in any challenge. I continue to work the way I always do despite all the disputes, discussions and criticisms.”

The issue was embarrassing even for the whole film industry, Khan said.

“It should stop here. Our film industry is not developing. And such incidents will confuse people more. If I have done anything wrong – I am really sorry,” he said addressing Ananta.