Arti Chhabria: Headley, who?

Actress Aarti Chhabria’s name has surfaced in connection with David Coleman Headley – the man suspected to have been involved in the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai. But Aarti is having none of it. She has lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police commissioner to find out who has started this malicious rumour about her.
Aarti has denied ever seeing or meeting Headley and Rahul Bhatt.She says, “I’m deeply shocked and hurt that things about me knowing Headley have been reported in the media. The only truth is that I have never met or seen the guy. I didn’t even know that he exists until a day before when I saw his face on a news channel. It’s extremely agonising for me and my family. Despite issuing a clarification yesterday, my family and friends are deeply agonised about the news. My parents have been getting calls and I’m answerable to them. It is an emotionally draining experience. One tabloid even printed my picture with a headline saying, Am I Dating Headley?. It is disturbing because an insinuation like this can damage a person’s reputation,” she says.
“Apparently, Headley also used to go to the same gym that I go to. But that doesn’t mean that I met him. In fact, whenever I go to the gym, I’m too involved with my regime, my music and exercise. I don’t even say a hello to anyone around me. As for Rahul Bhatt – it is the first time that I saw his face on the television. I did not even know that Maheshji had a son to begin with. I have now filed a case with the Mumbai Crime Branch, and another case at the Gamdevi police station. I have also registered a case of defamation and sent a notice to the tabloid. I am going to make sure serious action is taken against them,” Aarti goes on, and is quick to add, “The film fraternity has been very supportive ever since they have come to know about the news. I have been receiving calls. Fortunately, this is not going to affect my work. I am ready to co-operate with the police and the National Investigation Agency officials, if they want to ask me anything. I will tell them truth, and that is that I have never known Headley, never spoken to him, and dated him? Woh toh door ki baat hai. Just to make it a sansani khabar, the media has linked me and a few other Bollywood people with Headley.”
Aarti confesses, “It’s my birthday today, and I’m in no mood to celebrate. I had lots of plans and now I’m really hurt and I’m trying to block my mind and tell myself that it has been legally dealt with so now, I should move on and enjoy myself. The only thing that I have been doing for past few days is that I have been answering to everyone’s questions repeatedly.”