Lajmi defends Sush over smooch row

Chingari director Kalpana Lajmi has opened fire on actor Anuj Sawhney.

Director Kalpana Lajmi is angry over false reports about Sushmita Sen's torrid smooching sequence with Anuj Sawhney in her orthcoming film Chingari.

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Apparently both Lajmi and Sush have put the blame for the wrong story on the film's producer, Vikas Sahni. Sushmita reportedly even phoned Sahni and threatened not to support the film's publicity.

Immeasurably agitated, Lajmi lashed out at the smooch theory.

"This isn't the kind of publicity my cinema needs. Chingaari is about the life of a prostitute. It is about the politics of sex. But there are no sexy scenes. I have not made a Julie or a Murder. And there is certainly no kissing sequence in Chingaari, let alone a torrid one.

"If my film required that kind of intimacy it would have it and I would certainly not hide it. Why should I? I am sure of my convictions as a filmmaker. And I don't need to seal them with a kiss," said Lajmi.

A still from Kaplana Lajmi-directed Chingaari. Lajmi is angry over false reports about Sushmita Sen's torrid smooching sequence with Anuj Sawhney.

The supposed smooch is actually a love-song sequence that Sushmita personally choreographed after the choreographer didn't turn up for the shooting, she said.

"Do you think Sushmita or I would do anything vulgar or unaesthetic? Yes, Sush does have sensuous scenes but not with Anuj Sawhney. They are with Mithun.

"How dare Anuj give quotes about how we had to do 36 re-takes for the love scenes between him and Sush? What is he implying? That I am an inept director and Sushmita is a clumsy actress! Please don't make me open my mouth about that Anuj. He's trouble, period," Lajmi stated.

This is not the first time that Sawhney finds himself facing the wrath of a celebrated co-star with whom he has insinuated more than a passing chumminess. Earlier, after the release of Naina, Sawhney had upset co-star Urmila Matondkar by calling her 'voluptuous' in print.

"I think he needs to watch himself," warned Lajmi. "And he should stop lying. Because there is no smooch with Sush, except maybe in his fantasy."