The legal battle between Bollywood actress and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut and renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has finally come to an end after five years. The dispute began in 2020, when Akhtar filed a defamation lawsuit against Kangana Ranaut for comments she made about him during a television interview. The case stemmed from allegations that Akhtar had pressured her to apologize to actor Hrithik Roshan over their widely publicized feud.
Origin of the Dispute
The conflict between the two dates back to March 2016, when Javed Akhtar allegedly urged Kangana to apologize to Hrithik Roshan. According to Ranaut, Akhtar had summoned her to his residence and pressured her to apologize, warning her that the Roshan family was powerful and could harm her career. In an interview following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, Ranaut publicly revealed this alleged meeting, claiming that Akhtar had threatened her with legal consequences if she refused to comply.
Following her statements, Javed Akhtar filed a defamation lawsuit against Ranaut in the Mumbai court, accusing her of tarnishing his reputation with baseless allegations. In response, Ranaut countered with her own lawsuit, accusing Akhtar of coercion and intimidation.
Court Proceedings and Final Settlement
The case saw multiple hearings, with Ranaut repeatedly failing to attend court proceedings. In early 2024, the Mumbai court issued a warning against her for her repeated absences, citing her parliamentary obligations as an MP as the reason for not appearing. Akhtar’s legal team even requested a non-bailable warrant against her. However, before the matter escalated further, both parties agreed to settle the case through mediation.
Resolved the issue after 5 years
On her Instagram, Kangana Ranaut announced that she and Javed Akhtar had finally resolved their legal dispute. She shared a picture of herself with a smiling Akhtar, revealing that the two had reached an amicable settlement. Interestingly, Ranaut also revealed that Akhtar had agreed to write songs for her next directorial venture, marking a surprising turn of events. She expressed her gratitude for Akhtar’s graciousness and kindness during the mediation process.
While the case initially appeared to be a bitter legal battle, it has concluded on a positive note, with both parties moving forward without further animosity. Javed Akhtar’s agreement to collaborate on Kangana Ranaut’s film suggests that they have not only buried the hatchet but also found a way to work together professionally.
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