Film faternity gives Shiney Ahuja a clean chit

Bollywood is shell-shocked by the Shiney Ahuja maid episode. There is widespread disbelief that the actor could have shamed the industry in such a manner. They wonder how the nice guy Shiney could have resorted to such a heinous act. His co-stars, directors and producers react...

Shilpa Shetty: It's shocking! I can't believe it. We don't know for sure what transpired between Shiney and the girl and we really can't say what the truth us. But if it really happened it's sad.

Sudhir Mishra: As I was shooting, I woke up late on Sunday to confusing stories about Shiney. What can I say? The Shiney that I know and the Shiney that I hear about now are two different entities. Though he has been a little upset with me for six months because I was working with other actors, we're very close. Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi was not just the film that launched him but it was also a turning point in my career. It bonded us for a lifetime. There were so many women on the sets and they never had any complaints about Shiney's behaviour. In fact, Shiney did a film with my assistant Ruchi Narain called Kal. He was always a thorough gentleman. I am sure there's some misunderstanding here.

Mahesh Bhatt: The news has shocked and shamed us. The Shiney who worked with us in Gangster and Woh Lamhe is not the demon that surfaced in the media on Sunday night. If what is alleged is proved in the courts we must condemn the dastardly deed with all our might. Our outrage cannot be selective.

Pritish Nandy: The matter is under investigation. I strongly believe in justice taking its own course. However I feel too many people are jumping to too many conclusions. Let's not judge Shiney until the investigations are concluded.

Anurag Basu: I'm in a state of shocked disbelief. This has got to be conspiracy to malign him. Shiney has done two of his best films with me. We've bonded over a long period of time. Never has there been even a hint of bad behaviour from him. I wouldn't have tolerated it. I remember once long ago a spotboy had behaved badly with a lady on my sets, I had fired him immediately. One has to be very careful about these things. It's not fair to try Shiney on television. Let the law decide. I'll believe it only if Shiney himself tells me. He has worked with some of the most beautiful heroines. No one has ever had any grievance against him. I feel this is a trap to malign him.

Chitrangada Singh: I worked with him in two films. It's very shocking and unfortunate. Though I didn't know him personally, I felt he was a nice guy on the sets. He kept a bit aloof. Quiet and ambitious. He got along with people just fine. I hope the investigations are fair. And that someone doesn't get punished for being a celebrity. He seems to have said it was consensual sex. I think it takes courage to own up. I hope he stays strong though this. People do make mistakes. One has to pay for wrongs done. But the punishment should be fair. And if there's been a rape, justice has to be done to the girl."

Mukesh Bhatt: I'm appalled by the way the electronic media has already labelled Shiney a rapist. You can't do this to a man who has a family, career and a bright future. Punish him by all means, if he's guilty. But let the law decide that. How do we know what really happened? Anyone can say anything about someone in the light. Suppose they had consensual sex? Shiney is a successful man. This behaviour seems so out of character and so absurd.

Kunal Kohli: I worked briefly with Shiney in Fanaa. This is indeed very sad. Rape is the worst crime a man can commit against a woman. If he's guilty then it's really very shocking and shameful. Any rapist should be dealt with in the severest way.

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