Kangana Ranaut-Javed Akhtar Defamation Case Concludes - Why Were They Warring And How Was Sushant Singh Rajput Connected?

Kangana Ranaut resolved the over four-year-long defamation case filed against her by veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar through mediation, with the BJP MP apologising for the "inconvenience" caused to the screenwriter.

The duo appeared before a special court here on Friday and informed it of their decision to withdraw the complaints they had filed against each other. After the court appearance, the actor also posted a photo on her social media platform along with Akhtar, stating that they had resolved the legal matter. Now, they will also be working on a project together.

Also read: Kangana-Javed Akhtar RESOLVE 5-year-long Defamation Case

What's the defamation case between Kangana Ranaut and Javed Akhtar?

Javed Akhtar had filed a complaint against Kangana Ranaut in 2020, alleging that she had defamed and damaged his "immaculate reputation" by dragging his name into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death in an interview. In his complaint, Akhtar claimed that Kangana dragged his name during an interview while referring to a 'coterie' existing in Bollywood, following the alleged suicide by actor Sushant.

The case was initially heard by a magistrate court in Andheri. In 2024, after she was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh, the matter was transferred to a special magistrate court designated for matters involving MPs and MLAs.  

Also read:  Kangana Ranaut Take Indirect Dig At Sanya Malhotra’s Mrs

Kangana files a counter complaint, drags past

Kangana had later filed a cross-complaint against Akhtar, alleging criminal intimidation and insult to modesty. She had claimed that during her meeting with Farhan Akhtar at his residence in 2016, he criminally intimidated her, demanding that she apologise to a co-star.

Kana's lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee and Akhtar's advocate Jay Kumar Bhardwaj said the matter was settled through an hour-long mediation before a special magistrate court in Bandra. Ranaut stated before the mediator that she made the statement due to misunderstanding and she has decided to withdraw it. The Emergency actress has apologised to Akhtar for inconvenience caused to him due to her statement, he said, adding that she has undertaken not to make such a statement in future. 

(With PTI inputs)