Punish me, spare the kids: Duniya Vijay

Sullen family members, a background score and an audio visual to match, and an actor par excellence.... for a moment there, it did feel as if we were on a film set. But as soon as actor Duniya Vijay handed us documents that countered certain serious allegations his wife Nagaratna had made against him, it struck us: this was reality!

But it was not that the press conference called by the actor to explain his current predicament was any less dramatic. Vijay has recently filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years, and she, in retaliation, has made a few serious allegations against him; extra marital affairs, threatening her family at gun point, depriving her of luxuries and freedom being some of them.

Vijay chose not to put up with these accusations silently. He went ahead and stated that it was Nagaratna’s intolerant behaviour towards his aged parents that compelled him to ask for divorce.

Even as the estranged couple kept the TRPs of channels soaring by coming out with their own versions of this high voltage drama, their three children were dragged into the controversy. And that is  what hurt him the most, the actor conveyed at the press meet.

“I am pained by Nagaratna’s decision to involve our children. All three are at an impressionable age and were provoked to speak against me. She had them say that they want us back together. But when I went to meet them at their school, I was told that Nagaratna had asked the authorities not  to allow anyone but the driver and her to meet the children. I have brought all this to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee and will wait for them to take necessary action. I now request Nagaratna and the media to spare my kids. I will answer your questions, let them be,” is what he said.

The actor also provided documents to prove that he had not held Nagaratna’s brother, Anand, at gun point as she has claimed. “I did not have my gun on the day she is referring to. I had surrendered it to the police station way before that.” He also circulated some photos to show that he had showered her with jewellery and designer saris. He also said that he didn’t have her brother kidnapped. “I will stand by what is true and fight for justice. I am very respectful of women,” is what he said.

But the photos that show him getting married to a film actor without breaking ties with Nagaratna and stories about his alleged affair with another actor don’t support his claims, we tell him.

“I will answer all your questions. It’s just that I’m deeply hurt and not in a position to clarify things right now. See, I have been harassed by my wife for the past 14 years. Now I want to come out of this strenuous relationship. If it’s the kids that she is worried about, let me tell you that I will take care of them in a way that is beyond her imagination. I don’t wish to comment on this issue any more. I have filed for a divorce and there is a hearing related to this on March 15. Let law take it’s course,” Vijay explained.

The professional actor that he is, Vijay didn’t forget to make the most of this press meet by promoting his upcoming venture Rajanikantha that will see him in a double role. Life sure is
interesting!