Renowned actor Darshan Jariwala has stepped down from his roles as Vice President of the Cine And Television Artistes' Association (CINTAA), Executive Committee Member of CINTAA, and General Secretary of The Cine Artistes' Welfare Trust (CAWT) following accusations of an alleged relationship resulting in a journalist's pregnancy and subsequent claims of Jariwala refusing to acknowledge the child.
As per a DNA report, the controversy surfaced in December when the journalist, claiming a relationship with Jariwala, alleged pregnancy, and accused the actor of denying paternity. Jariwala refuted the accusations, prompting the journalist to seek intervention from CINTAA. The committee summoned Jariwala for an explanation, and he assured them of legal assistance.
However, as the matter lingered and became a source of embarrassment for CINTAA and CAWT, especially among their members, Darshan Jariwala opted to resign from all his positions within CINTAA. CINTAA General Secretary Amit Behl confirmed the resignation, acknowledging the impact on the organizations' reputation and the concerns raised by members, particularly women, seniors, and guardians of child actors.
Despite the resignations from CINTAA roles, Jariwala continues as a trustee of CAWT, an independent but affiliated charitable trust focused on actors' welfare.
The journalist had publicly called for Jariwala's removal from CINTAA positions, but the association clarified that her request fell outside their purview as she was not a CINTAA member. She was advised to officially communicate her grievances in writing.
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Jaya Bhattacharya, Joint Secretary and member of the Care Committee of CINTAA, expressed her distress over the situation. While refraining from taking sides pending legal decisions, she voiced the increasing discomfort of answering questions from members, particularly women. Bhattacharya also expressed hope that alleged comments made by Jariwala about CINTAA's Executive Committee members and senior office bearers were untrue.
Darshan Jariwala, with a career spanning four decades in films, TV, and theatre, remains a National Award-winning actor known for his roles in various acclaimed productions such as Gandhi My Father Guru, Raajneeti, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani, and Radhe.