Mumbai: In comments to the media on the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has filed a defamation case against actor Kangana Ranaut in a Mumbai court for making "baseless allegations" against him. In the case brought before a metropolitan magistrate in Andheri, west of Mumbai, Javed Akhtar sought defamation under the Indian Penal Code against Kangana Ranaut. Javed Akhtar claimed in the complaint that Kangana Ranaut made "baseless remarks" that "caused reputational damage." The complaint alleged that when referring to a "coterie" in Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut dragged in his name when talking about Sushant Singh Rajput's death in the media. Kangana Ranaut attacked parts of Bollywood for nepotism and lack of transparency. Kangana Ranaut had released a two-minute video highly speaking of him after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai home in June, saying that he was a victim of film industry nepotism.

In a separate matter, Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel were informed today by the Mumbai Police to appear before them on November 10 and November 11 in relation with a case alleged to have promoted enmity between communities through their remarks. For alleged offensive speech, a case has been filed against the actor at Bandra Police Station. The duo received a notice on 21 October requiring them to appear before officials to record statements in the event. Kangana Ranaut's lawyer, however, replied and said she was in Himachal Pradesh and busy with her cousin's brother's wedding preparations.

Kangana Ranaut took to her Twitter handle today on Tuesday evening to respond to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's tweet highlighting that on Tuesday, lyricist Javed Akhtar filed a defamation case against the actor. Kangana in response wrote, "Ek thi Sherni… Aur ek bhediyo ka jhund" [In translation: Once, there was a lioness… and another pack of wolves].

Under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of faith, caste, etc), 295-A (deliberate actions hurting religious sentiments) and 124-A (sedition), 34 (common intention), the Bandra police have registered a FIR against Ranaut and her sister.