Actress demands apology

Chandrashekhar claimed Ray was booked for Rs 10 lakh. The producer had already given Rs 9 lakh, but she wanted the remainder to be paid to her. He termed Ray’s claim of being allowed to take her mother to Hong Kong as false.

Ray pushed Chandrasekhar who was standing on a staircase. He lost balance and control over himself and slapped her in rage. Stunned by the blow, Ray began weeping and left the sets. Film hero Santosh took her to a local hospital where she was given first aid.

Taunting Chandrashekhar, Ray said: “People call him ‘meshtru’ (teacher) but I don’t know why he is called so. He is unfit to be called a teacher.” Continuing her diatribe against the film director, Ray said she would stop acting in Kannada films if she fails to get justice.

“I want him to tender an unconditional apology before the media,” the actress demanded.
Senior Kannada actor and Artists’ Association president Ambrish promised to conduct an impartial enquiry into the alleged slapping incident. Terming the incident as “unfortunate”, film producer Rockline Venkatesh said he has all the respect for Chandrashekhar and Ray too was a promising actress.

Born in Rajasthan, Ray moved to Bangalore 18 years back. She went to Baldwin Girls High School and took a Bachelor’s degree in dental science from Dr B R Ambedkar Dental College. She has acted in ‘Mast Maja Maadi’, ‘Junglee’, ‘Vaayuputra’ and ‘Manasaare’.