MUMBAI : Back in 2020, Javed Akhtar filed a case against Kangana Ranaut for making 'defamatory' comments against him during a television interview. Since then, Kangana and Javed have been fighting it in court. The veteran lyricist arrived at Magistrate Court today for a hearing but had to leave disappointed. As per a new report, he returned after learning that the hearing had been cancelled as the magistrate was on leave.

Javed ji said that he makes it a point to come to every hearing. "Main koshish karta hun ki har baar aoon" (I try to come every time)," he said. Javed added, 'Jo shuru kiya hai, use khatam toh karna hi hai" (We have to end what we started).

Kangana had sought permanent exemption from appearance, saying she is one of the top most female actors of the Hindi film industry and she needs to travel to different parts of the country and international locations for professional commitments. The court, however, rejected her application and said, "No doubt, being a celebrity, the accused (Kangana) is having her professional assignments, but she cannot forget that she is an accused in this case."

“If the accused is permanently exempted at this juncture, then the complainant, a senior citizen, will be seriously prejudiced and there will be no progress in the trial,” the court order had said. Javed ji's advocate had opposed the application, arguing that Kangana was showing a casual attitude towards the court.

The case will now be heard on May 2. The complaint is at the stage where Kangana's plea has to be recorded by the court. The actress' lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee had been appealing that the actress herself does not have to personally come to court. She can be represented by her lawyer.

However, Bharadwaj had argued that the allegations made against Kangana pertain to a meeting which was attended by his client, her, and her sister Rangoli Chandel. So he stated that the actress herself will have to appear before the court to say whatever she has to say, and it cannot be done through her lawyer.

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Credits: Hindustan Times