Article on "Akshay paid Rs 71 cr for film" totally false: UTV

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The UTV today termed ''totally false'' and ''speculative'' a news article published in a leading English daily about Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar having been paid Rs 71 crore for a film.

In a clarification issued to the article titled ''Akshay paid Rs 71 cr for a Film?'', published in today's edition of a prominent national English daily, the UTV said,''we confirm that the speculation of the amount stated in the article is totally untrue and is not even close to even 50 per cent of the amount stated in the article.'' In fact, the UTV said they had, prior to the publication of the news article, issued a full denial of the figure mentioned in it.

''We did issue a full denial and directed them not to run the article,''the UTV said.

Describing the report as an example of ''irresponsible journalism'', the UTV said, ''we do not comment on market speculation or motivated press comments to sensationalise things with untrue facts - but still wish to clarify in the interest of our shareholders.'' ''We consider the article damaging to our company, shareholders and the industry. This is an act of irresponsible journalism. When people read such news on the front page of a leading newspaper, they think it is credible but is actually far from truth or facts.

We therefore consider it correct to issue this clarification.'' A teaser of the article titled 'New King? Akshay paid Rs 71 crore for a film' appeared on the front page of the newspaper, followed by a full report on page 11.

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