Mumbai: Some members of the film industry on Sunday faced the heat at a media interaction when they supported arrested Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy and called him a living "demi god."
The small section of Bollywood personalities led by film maker Ramesh Sippy, however, were quick to add that their support to Roy should not be interpreted as an attempt to "influence" the ongoing case against him in the Supreme Court.
When prodded constantly about why the film fraternity did not have the same feelings like they have for Roy for crores of gullible investors whose hard-earned savings face an uncertain fate, Sippy said that the group would rally behind them as well, "if they come across any such investors."
"Sebi-Sahara case is not an issue here. That is for the Supreme Court to decide. We are here as we feel that he is being projected as a villain today. For us, he is a man of integrity, good character and filled with patrotism," the group said during the media conference called at a Sahara recording facility in a commercial complex here.
Besides Sippy, actors Fardeen Khan and Johnny Lever, Lyricist Sameer, yesteryears singer Nitin Mukesh and Sadhna Sargam and Sapna Mukherjee were present.
At one stage, they stood up when faced with a barrage of uncomfortable questions and the press conference was halted by the organisers midway.
The media invite had, however, mentioned big names like Hema Malini and Jeetendra but they did no turn up.
"Subrata Roy has always supported various causes be it cricket or help to Kargil martyrs. Unfortunately, his good work is not being talked about and what is being shown in the media about him is negativism," Sippy said.
Fardeen said "a man was innocent until proven guilty so Roy should be given a chance to defend himself".
