Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 17, 2018)

Akshara Haasan, daughter of actor and politician Kamal Haasan, filed a police complaint on Sunday stating that her private photographs were leaked on the internet. She also informed the police that she had no idea who was behind the act. Apparently, Tanuj Virwani, veteran actress Rati Agnihotri’s son, was the only one with whom Akshara had shared these pictures, according to Versova police.

Akshara and Tanuj were in a relationship before they broke up in 2016. While Tanuj had earlier denied the possession of such photos, the actor, in an exclusive chat with BT, revealed that he actually had the pictures, but he’s not the one responsible for the leak. Excerpts...

In a report published recently, you denied that you had Akshara Haasan’s leaked photos...
No, I think I was misinterpreted in that media report. I was shooting when I got a call from someone asking me about the pictures and at that point, I did not know what to say — yes, no or nothing at all! So, I denied having possession of those photos. I dated Akshara for four years (2013-2017) and during that time, like most couples, we shared our pictures. She had also shared some of her private photos with me, but I had deleted them at that time. Also, when someone called me up, I didn’t find it right to accept that I had those pictures. I did it out of chivalry. I strongly feel that the private affairs of a couple are not for public consumption. But today, after reading what has been published, I feel that my involvement in the episode has been blown out of proportion. So, I need to clarify things.

So, are you now saying that you had those pictures?
Yes, I had those pictures, but I don’t possess them anymore. I deleted them in 2013 and whether it is Akshara or anyone else, I am careful and conscious about these things. I never upload such stuff or send it out on email. It is an unnecessary risk to have such data on your phone, because both of us belong to the entertainment industry and it can harm us if the phone ends up in the wrong hands.

Akshara told the police that she had shared those pictures with a close friend. That friend is you...
That’s correct. She is referring to me, because we were in a relationship back then. Akshara and I have been in touch with each other even after the break-up. So, when this incident happened on November 2, Akshara already knew that she would have my full co-operation. I have the highest regards for her.

When did you meet Akshara for the first time?
Akshara and I have many common friends. We met in 2013 and hit it off well. It is too personal to discuss why we broke up, but she is a sweet person. We may not be together today, but there was no bad blood when we broke up. We continued being friends even after we split. She knows that she can pick up the phone and call me even now. She had informed me that she was filing an FIR and that’s the right thing to do. The police have to get to the bottom of this and find out who is responsible.

Have you approached the police?
I haven’t informed them because nobody has reached out to me. If they do, I will co-operate. If I was involved, she would have taken my name or accused me, but she hasn’t.
------------------------------
After his name surfaces in Akshara Haasan's leaked picture case, Tanuj promises support in the investigation
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 17, 2018)

Days after Akshara Haasan filed a police complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell seeking an investigation into her private photos being leaked online, her former boyfriend Tanuj Virwani's name has surfaced in the matter. The initial probe by the police indicated that Haasan had shared the photos with him in 2013.

While reports suggested that Virwani denied that he was ever in possession of the said photos, the actor told mid-day, "Akshara and I dated from 2013 to 2017. During that period, we would exchange pictures, some of which were intimate ones. I have sent her my pictures as well. It was between two consenting adults. So, I had received the pictures [in question]."

Virwani further claimed that he had deleted the images "immediately. I have switched two handsets since the pictures were received. Neither of the handsets had those pictures on them. Also, as a habit, I immediately delete any sensitive picture that I receive. So, there was no trace of it and there was no back-up as I find iCloud unsafe."

The actor added that he extended his complete support to Haasan as soon as he learnt of the case. "I understand how I end up looking like the bad guy. But if that was the case, Akshara would have called me out. While filing the FIR, when the cops asked her who was in possession of the pictures, she said I was. There is nothing to lie about here. We were dating and continued to be friends after we broke up. She knows she has my co-operation in this case.

I have been in touch with her since the pictures were leaked. I assured her that this too will pass." Virwani is likely to be questioned by the police in the next few days. "I have nothing to hide. We both know the truth. I hope the hacker is brought to task."