(Top) Dushmant with Priti and (above) Kajal at a film set (file pictures)

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: Odia actor Dushmant Panda’s real life tale appears distinctly similar to many Bollywood potboilers.

Just a few days before Dushmant is supposed to marry actress Kajal Mishra, a 24-year-old girl has lodged a complaint with the State Commission for Women (SCW) demanding action against the actor for “cheating” her.

Priti Mohanty, the girl, claims that she had lived-in with Dushmant for a while after which they got married at a local temple.

Priti and Dushmant met at a function in 2009 and became good friends. Soon after, they allegedly fell in love.

“We had been living together in my residence at Housing Board Colony in Dumduma,” said Priti, adding that she even used to visit Dushmant’s house.

“His family members knew about our relationship and we had even married at a local temple. Even after having a physical relationship with me, he has ditched me. I want strict action to be taken against him,” she said.

Priti alleged that since the last few months the actor had been avoiding her and staying with his family members at Laxmisagar.

“When I went to his house on October 25 to talk to him, his family members threatened me and threw me out of their house. Following this incident, I approached the Mahila police the very next day and lodged a formal complaint,” said Priti.

Priti said the police had even detained the actor at the police station.

After a counselling session with the couple, the police gave them 15 days to arrive at a solution.

However, Priti alleges that though nearly a month has passed after the police directive, no action has been taken against the accused.

“A few days ago Dushmant called me and asked me to meet him at a temple near Pahal. But there his friends threatened me. Finally, seeking action, I had to go to the SCW,” said Priti.

Dushmant, however, rubbished all the charges and said he was all set for his wedding on November 27 with Kajal.

“From my first album to first film to the recent reality show for celebrity dancers on a local channel, Kajal and I have always been together and I’m excited about our wedding,” said the actor.

“I know Priti as she used to work with me in my venture of organising ramp shows in the city. However, the company closed a year ago and I was not in contact with her for past several months. I had never established any physical relationship with her,” said Dushmant.

However, Priti says she owned the venture and it was still functioning.

Dushmant said Priti had given in writing at the Mahila police station that she would not harass him anymore.

“If she continues tarnishing my character, I will take legal action against her,” he said.

Reacting to these allegations, Priti said that the actor’s family members had put pressure on her to do so.

“As they told me that they would marry us off, I had to write these things,” Priti claimed.

The Mahila police said they have been inquiring into the matter.

“We are trying to get the proofs of their marriage. After it is established, we will take steps against the guilty,” said a police officer.

Bride-to-be Kajal, however, said that she trusts her fiancé.

“I have total faith in Dushmant. This girl is only trying to damage his reputation and create problems between us. She is talking nonsense but our families have not been affected by all these lies of the live-in relationship projected by her. We will be marrying as per schedule,” said the actress.

According to sociologist Rita Ray, the concept of live-in relationships is based on the freedom to separate anytime.

“Any of the partners could bid goodbye anytime. That is the basis of a live-in. So, be it the female or male partner, one should not complain about being ditched later,” she said.

“Live-in is a Western concept and has its own merits. But it suits a society where people following it dare to say so in public. Here, many couple live together but hide the fact from society due to poor social acceptability,” she added.