Shiney Ahuja: Haunted by the past

It's not easy to be sage-like when you hit a rough patch in life. But troubled actor Shiney Ahuja, who was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment in March last year after being convicted of raping his domestic help, is doing just that.

Currently out on bail, Ahuja is concentrating on getting his life back on track. "It has helped me understand this world a little better in a lot of ways," said Ahuja over the phone from Mumbai.

"Because from being a son of an army officer, who has lived in a very sheltered environment and always believed in the rights and wrongs of life, I was suddenly exposed to a city that works in a completely different way. Maybe God wanted me to be exposed to such harsh things. Probably it's important for the future of my daughter — because I would have given her the same sheltered life otherwise," said Ahuja, who claims that the sordid episode has taught him to make his five-year-old daughter aware of how brutal the world can be.

"It is very hard for me to point to one reason why such an episode happened. I am sure there must be a reason why it happened," he said. Though he was unable to comment on the legal case, (Ahuja has filed an appeal against the conviction in Bombay High Court and is now waiting for the hearing), he claims that even before the verdict was announced he was considered a convict in the eyes of the people.

False stories

"There were false stories planted by the police in the media, which was unfortunate. My lawyer told me when my conviction was announced that you were already convicted one year back in the eyes of the people," said Ahuja, who claims that an incorrect news report that he had confessed about raping his domestic help during police interrogation caused a negative impact.

"One day in the media, news came out that I confessed. Three days later, an apology for that article did come in page six, three lines of apology — that cause maximum impact," he explained. The 37-year-old actor, who made his debut in the critically acclaimed Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2005, believes that celebrities are a soft target.

"There is no doubt about that. We are like a fish in a tank. Anyone can touch and do whatever they want to. We are inside and there is nothing we can do. It's tough place to describe it to you," said Ahuja.

However, he holds no grudges. Right now, his focus is on getting his career firmly back on track.

Ghost, a horror flick, has been hailed as Ahuja's comeback film since his 2008 film Hijack. But the actor isn't too sure about "second-innings" and "relaunch".

Second innings?

"Everybody is drumming it as my second innings. But I never really felt like that. There have been times when I have shot for my films earlier and then not done a film for one and a half years. So you should be calling this a break."

His lean but rich catalogue of films include award winning hits such as Woh Lamhe and Gangster.

"And realistically, nobody can really orchestrate a comeback or a launch. Beyond a point, you have to leave it to fate and God… At this point in my life, I am not that established a star to orchestrate anything. I am trying to do my best as actor and get by," said Ahuja.

Just like old times, he's now scouting for work and meeting directors, who are willing to discuss work. Prior to his conviction, Ahuja was famously known as an introvert who rarely hobnobbed with his peers. His stand remains unchanged.

"I don't feel the need to be social in any way. I would love to meet people — no doubt. But just for the sake of work — to go and meet people is not in my nature. I don't think it would be fair that any incident at any point of time should change my nature because in the first place I know I am innocent. I don't need to retrospect on that. So I know what has happened is a part of my destiny and I accept it with full humility."

Ahuja has a couple of projects lined up for release including Har Pal with Preity Zinta and Ek Accident with Soha Ali Khan. He's also mulling over an offer for a cameo in Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra starrer Barfee. His belief that audiences are forgiving is his biggest driving force.

"I think the audience is pretty clear that if they like somebody on screen, they like the person too. I don't think the fans of any star are really bothered about what happens in their personal lives. As long as they can entertain them, they are good.

"By God's grace, I have been given a wonderful family, wonderful wife and a sweet loving daughter. They are my biggest strength," he added.

QUOTE UNQUOTE:

Shiney on …

Bollywood fraternity supporting him during the rape trial:

"Everybody whom I have worked with has supported me which includes Sudhir Mishra, Anurag Basu, Pritish Nandy. And I think I am very fortunate to belong to a fraternity where people come and support you, believe in you at any point in time."

On heading to Dubai to promote his films:

"My passport is with me, so I can travel. I would love to come back to Dubai. I was there for the premiere of Life In A … Metro."