New Delhi: Akil Malik, the man who had slapped actress Gauahar Khan, has claimed that the incident was a publicity stunt.
Malik said that Khan, winner of reality show Big Boss season 7, asked him to slap her to grab eyeballs.
Also read: Bollywood shocked over Gauahar Khan slapping incident
Khan, was slapped by Akil Malik while she was shooting for a television show - India's Raw Star in Mumbai in December last year. According to media reports, Malik had objected to the actress's dressing sense and for dancing to racy numbers on television shows.
The religious twist of the incident fluttered the debate in media and raised the issue of moral policing in society.
Malik's claim is expected to snowball into another controversy. The actress is yet to comment on the subject.A news portal had reported that Khan's co-contestant of Bigg Boss - 7, Ajaz Khan said that the actress was herself responsible for the slap.
Also read: Disturbed Gauahar Khan on India's Raw Star after being slapped (see pics)
"Some people can't control (their sexual urges) It is a fact that some people get attracted when they witness a woman's body. Anybody can get distracted. Negativity must have taken over that individual (who attacked Gauahar)," said Ajaz in an interview to portal India.com
Ajaz is also a contestant in the current season of Bigg Boss.
