Kangana Ranaut has unconditionally apologised to Javed Akhtar for defamatory remarks made in a 2020 interview. The Bollywood actor withdrew her statements, leading Akhtar to withdraw his complaint.
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has unconditionally apologised to lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar for making alleged defamatory statements against him in connection with the death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The settlement was reached on February 28, 2025, with both parties personally appearing before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Bandra.
Court Proceedings & Apology
- Ranaut, in her statement before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate AK Awari, clarified that her statements made on July 19, 2020, in an interview with Arnab Goswami were due to a "misunderstanding."
- She unconditionally withdrew her remarks against Akhtar and undertook not to repeat them in the future.
- Quote from Ranaut: "I apologise for the inconvenience caused to Mr. Javed Akhtar, who is one of the senior-most members of the film fraternity, and I have high regard for him."
- Following this, Akhtar agreed to withdraw his complaint, leading to the defamation case being disposed of by the court.
Background of the Defamation Case
- Javed Akhtar had filed a private complaint in December 2020, alleging that Ranaut had made false and defamatory allegations against him in her Republic TV interview on July 19, 2020.
- Akhtar claimed that Ranaut falsely linked him to the controversy surrounding Sushant Singh Rajput's death, which damaged his reputation.
- He emphasized his 55-year illustrious career and stated that he was a self-made man, who came to Mumbai in 1964 with just Rs 27.
- Akhtar also served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2010 to 2016.
Akhtar’s Complaint Allegations
- The complaint stated that Ranaut’s 57-minute-long interview included statements that had no direct personal knowledge and needlessly dragged his name into an unrelated, sensitive issue.
- The plea read: “Needlessly dragging the complainant's name into an unconnected, sensitive matter is tantamount to extending veiled threats to the complainant, who is an extremely respectable member of the film fraternity.”
Case Resolution
- After Ranaut’s formal apology and withdrawal of her statements, Akhtar agreed to settle the matter amicably.
- The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Bandra formally disposed of the case.
