Publicity Stunt: Gauahar Khan asked me to slap her, alleges accused Akhil Malik

In a sudden turn of events that would best suit the format of controversial reality show Bigg Boss, Akhil Malik, the man who infamously slapped Gauahar Khan on the set of a reality TV show on 30 November , now claims that he was instructed by Gauahar to slap her and she promised him a role in Dabangg 3 for pulling off this stunt. In an interview given to a leading electronic channel, Akhil who has just been released on bail said that the slap was scripted by Gauahar herself and he just played along in the hope of landing a role in a Salman Khan movie. Said Akhil, “I am basically from Patna and have also been abroad for work. I became a junior artist in 2011. Everything was scripted by Gauahar herself like a film script. On 28 November, I was supposed to be a part of Gauahar’s show as audience and as per the act I had to fall flat after Gauahar blows a kiss to the audience. I was asked to wear black pant and shirt but the act got cancelled.” Claiming that he didn’t know Gauahar Khan at all before 28 November 2014, Akhil further alleged in the interview, “I didn’t know who was Gauahar Khan before 28 November. After my act got cancelled, I waited for Gauahar to finish her shoot. She had some song and dance act on the show. After she had finished, I met her outside and told her that I am her big fan and requested her to get me some work in films. She said ok and told me that I would have to do something for her in return and meet her on 30 November. I met her directly on 30 November, in the morning around 8.30. I sat with her inside her car and she told me that I will have to slap her on stage. When I told her that this would get arrested, Gauahar promised me that she would go and tell the police that she has pardoned me and they would not be able to take any further action. In return, she promised to get me a role in Dabangg 3. Her driver too was a witness to this entire conversation.” It may well be remembered that Akhil had in his statement to the police said that it was Gauahar’s short clothes that got him incensed. To this Akhil said he was playing as per Gauahar’s script even in front of police. “I didn’t tell the police because I was acting as per the instructions of Gauahar and at that time I didn’t know that she would go back on her promise. But now that she has, I too feel it’s time to expose her lies.” On the point of women wearing short clothes, the accused said, “I work in a hotel. People there come in even smaller clothes and I have never done anything of this sort there. So why would I slap someone for wearing short clothes? I grew greedy to get a role in films. Everyone today wants to work in films. Hence I did it.” Well all said and done, we envisage three scenarios here. One, if what Akhil says is right then the accused has unwittingly invited more trouble for himself along with Gauahar for taking police and court machinery for a publicity ride by making false statements. Two, what is the guarantee that Akhil is stating the truth? He could very well be lying to save his skin. After all, why would someone approach Gauahar Khan among all people for a role in Bollywood? And is Gauahar so powerful that she can land roles in Salman Khan’s films? Three, is Akhil’s current statement too scripted by Gauahar? Is there something more to it than what actually meets the eye? Well, the first controversy of 2015 is here folks! Let’s wait and watch where this one ends. Meanwhile Gauahar couldn’t be reached for a comment. Our text to her too went unanswered. Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.