Bhubaneswar: There has been a mixed reaction to the airing of the exclusive footage on OTV today showing some top Ollywood stars openly promoting tainted chit fund company Oscar at an event in Surat in 2009.
While some condemned the actors for promoting the tainted company, others defended them saying they were unaware of the fraudulent nature of the company activities.
“The persons whose names cropped up in the case have done the mistake unknowingly. And this should not be repeated in future. But I want to tell everybody that the media is also equally involved in this issue. Has the media not publicised the company’s films through advertisements?” asked senior Ollywood actor Mihir Das.
Senior lawyer Madhu Madhav Jena said, “We all know that the owners of such companies are completely responsible. But the actors are equally responsible for this. A case under the Money Laundering Act should be registered against them all.”
Appearing to give the actors who attended the promotional event the benefit of doubt, actor Kuna Tripathy said; “The actors made the mistake of asking common people to invest in the company. Of course, they had no idea that it was a fraud company. Had they only spoken about the film or the producer, it would not have been so deplorable.”
Cine critic Dilip Hali maintained that it was wrong on the part of artistes to promote the company.
“It is clear from the video that they (artistes) are directly linked with the company. From the statement of the artistes, their intention was clear: it was a promotional event,” Hali stated.
Former DGP SN Tiwari said, “Iit is clear that the actors have promoted the company. If you know about the fraudulent activities of the company and its business, then it is a crime.”
The video footage aired by OTV showed Ollywood actors Uttam Mohanty, comedian Papu Pam Pam, Jina and Lipi attending the annual function of Oscar Management Services held in Surat. The event was organised by Pravas Rout, chairman and managing director (CMD) of Oscar Group of Companies.