“I feel relaxed” is the first thing that singer Ankit Tiwari says when asked about his acquittal in a rape case. Ankit, known for his song Sun Raha Hai Na Tu (from Aashiqui 2, 2013), was acquitted on Thursday by a sessions court in Mumbai. He had been accused by a woman, allegedly his ex-girlfriend, of raping her on several occasions in 2012-’13 with the promise of marriage. His brother, Ankur, was also accused for allegedly threatening the woman.
The singer-composer tells us that he was always hopeful the truth would prevail. He adds that he felt like sharing his version with fans, but then thought he’d rather wait for the verdict. The woman’s complaint had been filed on May 2014 and Ankit was arrested on May 8 in Versova, Mumbai. Since then, he was on tenterhooks until the acquittal.
“Initially, jab bhi mauka mila toh laga mein media aur fans sey baat karoon aur bataoon apni baat, but I thought let the verdict come out, or else you never know… some wouldn’t have believed me. I always had faith in the Indian judicial system. I’m feeling relieved after the [verdict]. Also, I never let it affect my work,” says Ankit, who performed popular songs such as Dil Darbadar (from PK, 2014), Tu Hai Ki Nahi (from Roy, 2015) and Dil Cheez Tujhe Dedi (from Airlift, 2015) while going through the legal process as an accused. He is currently working on his independent music album.
Industry colleagues, fans and family, Ankit says, were there by his side. “When family, friends, fans and the people in your professional life are supportive, it helps. I was lucky that way. I met Mahesh [Bhatt] saab yesterday, and he in his own style of congratulating me, said, ‘Aap sidhe log ho, mujhe pata tha aap ke saath sahi hoga.’ Tigmanshu Dhulia and Anubhav Sinha ney bhi good wishes bheje,” says Ankit.
Following the verdict, people have been wishing him via social media and also calling and messaging him, says the singer. “The most important person was my mother (Suman Tiwari). She believed in me and, after yesterday, I proved to be her rightful son,” says the singer happily.
