'Prakash Jaju has no credibility'

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Breaking her silence on former manager Prakash Jaju's claims on her alleged suicide attempts, Priyanka Chopra says he should not have been given attention by the media as his statements were not authentic.

In a series of tweets earlier this month, Jaju had said the 33-year-old Quantico star had tried to commit suicide thrice during her struggling days, including in 2002 after the death of her rumoured former boyfriend Aseem Merchant's mother.

'This is utter... First of all, it's so sad that Indian media has given credibility to the man, who was in jail because of harassing me, without checking the history who the person is. So, I have nothing to say because there is no credibility to this person, who media is giving credibility to,' she told PTI.

Things between the Bajirao Mastani heroine and Jaju turned sour when she terminated his services in 2004.

Later, he filed a criminal suit against her, accusing that she has not cleared his dues. Jaju, however, ended up serving 67 days in jail after Priyanka's father Ashok Chopra filed a complaint against him for interfering in his daughter's privacy.

His tweets came days after popular television actress Pratyusha Banerjee was found dead at her home. The police suspected she committed suicide due to stress over her relationship with boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh. Pratyusha's demise re-opened the ever ongoing debate if people from showbiz are more prone to depression.

Priyanka finds it disappointing that the finger has been pointed at the entertainment industry. 

'Why don't we talk about those women, who commit suicide because they were harassed by the mother-in-laws or being beaten in their homes? Or they kill themselves because they are unhappy in their homes? It's so easy to turn around and say about the showbiz world.'

Priyanka condemned those who are talking ill about the actress without even finding the truth. 'Nobody knows the truth. Nobody ever tried to find out what the poor 24-year-old girl was going through... And as usual, people are dissecting her life. People are unnecessarily talking about her, not giving her and family the respect they deserve right now.'

The Jai Gangaajal star said the youth should not end their own lives and rather teach a lesson to the person, who is bothering them.

'Young people are also committing suicide in colleges and hostels. I believe why they have to kill themselves for somebody else. I would kill that person first before ending my life for the person.'

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Aamir Khan, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at Hridaynath Mangeshkar awards

Chess wizard Vishwanathan Anand has been conferred with the Hridaynath award, which recognises individuals for success in various walks of life.

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao presented the award to the 46-year-old Grandmaster.

"I'd like to thank Hridayesh Arts; this is a great honour for me. I won my first national title here (in Mumbai) back in 1986... The first time I become world champion, there was a reception in the Governor's mansion to honour me. And that was one of the best memories I have," the five-time world chess champion said at the event.

The guest of honour for the ceremony was Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar. Aamir Khan also attended the event.

Khan remembered a chess match with Anand and said that was the only time he had 'enjoyed' losing to anybody.

"I am one of his biggest fans... He is such an inspiration to young people across the country. At a time when we really need icons who believe in work and dedication, he is the one who stands out," Khan said.

Other sports personalities like D Prasad, Praveen Thipsey and his wife Bhagyashree, Padmashree Anupama Gokhale, Raghunandan Gokhale, Dhanraj Pillay, Devendra Joshi, Kamesh Mehta and Parnali Dharia were also felicitated at the ceremony.