Vivel Oberoi is seething with rage after a one-to-one with veteran journalist Prabhu Chawla on Hindi news channel Aaj Tak's show, Seedhi Baat.
The actor was repeatedly asked about his lady love Aishwarya Rai and their marriage plans. Vivek answered as good as he got. He says he found his words twisted out of context and beamed on the channel piecemeal to focus on the juicier parts.
"From now on, I'll insist that my interviews are used in totality. All I'll say is my intentions towards Aishwarya Rai are honourable, and so is my attitude to the press," says Vivek.
"I believe the press needs to draw a line between news-worthiness and conscientious reporting. We can't have half-truths and distortions passing off as facts especially in an interview conducted by a serious political journalist. I don't wish to say anything more."
Apparently the interview, and its focus on Vivek's relationship with Ash, has caused immense distress in the Rai residence. Ash prefers to keep her private life out of the public glare.
"It isn't Vivek's fault. He never wanted to speak about Ash on the interview. He was forced into doing so because he was repeatedly asked provocative questions about Ash," says a close friend of the Bollywood actors.
"Vivek doesn't like keeping quiet when aspersions are cast on people he loves. He thinks it isn't the honourable thing to do. And he is ready to face the consequences. But he never said he is marrying her right now or in the near future. When he was asked if he would marry her, he naturally said yes. Which man of integrity wouldn't want to marry the woman he loves?" the friend adds.
Vivek has decided he will not answer any more questions on Aishwarya in his interviews.
As for the supposed marriage, there will apparently be no wedding bells for Ash and Vivek for at least a few years.
