Distinguished actor Om Puri’s wife Nandita Puri has filed a complaint alleging domestic violence against her husband. She has also alleged that Om is “absconding”. However when we got in touch with Om on Monday night he was as accessible and forthright as ever. Sounding deeply wounded but unvanquished by the serious allegation, Om said, “I’ve been shooting the entire day. If Nandita says I am absconding then I am afraid she is speaking of a situation I am not aware of. I have nothing to hide. I don’t need to run away.” Shocked and embarrassed by the latest in the series of allegations leveled at him by his wife, Om says, “I don’t even know what domestic violence means. Because I’ve never indulged in it. If anyone, I am the victim here, not she. Only I know how I’ve suffered all these years just to safeguard and protect my son Ishaan from the consequences of my broken marriage.” But enough, says Om, is enough. “I’ve taken enough. I can’t any more. My wife wants to destroy me. I can’t let her. I’ve responsibilities towards myself, my son and others who are dependent on me. She thinks she can accuse me of anything and gain sympathy because the laws in this country are heavily weighed in favour of women, and rightly so considering the rise in incidents of violence against women in our society. But the same laws are also misused by privileged vengeful wives who want to destroy their husband’s career and lives.” Om says he won’t allow his wife to mess with his reputation anymore. “She accuses me of violence. I don’t even stay in our flat together any more. I’ve been living for quite some time in a humble flat while she lives like a queen in the terrace flat, the first home that I bought with my hard-earned money.” Here, Om’s voice gives way and he breaks down. “I’ve toiled incessantly for 40 years, given my wife and son the best life possible. And this is what I get in return? ” Om says he has had enough now. “I’ve taken all the pain and humiliation for our son’s sake. But now I’ve reached breaking point. I am shortly calling a press conference to clear my name. I am supposed to travel to Europe in a few days to shoot for my next international project. If this ugly allegation prevents me from traveling for my work then I promise you, there will be hell to pay.”