DIRECTOR APOLOGISES TO MEGHANA RAJ FOR BRINGING UP LATE CHIRANJEEVI SARJA'S NAME IN DRUG CONTROVERSY

This didn't go down well with his late wife, Meghana Raj, who called for a public apology from the director, who has done so. "I apologise to Meghana Raj and her family if I have hurt them with my words. I take back my words. I don't become small or big by tendering an apology," he said.

"I did not mean to say Chiranjeevi Sarja had drug links. I had only stated that when a young actor dies at 37, a postmortem had to be conducted. I had taken back my words immediately after Mr Sa Ra Govindu told me these words were hurtful to the grieving family," said Lankesh.

"I never meant to tarnish the family's image. I was equally pained at his untimely demise. Meghana's family and Sarjas have made immense contribution to the film industry. As a child I used to accompany my father to Ravindra Kalakshetra and Meghana's parents, who were rehearsing for the plays with my father, used to carry me," he further said.

"I am not blaming the entire industry. Perhaps, less than two per cent of Sandalwood might be part of this racket. It is time we fight this together. I am pained that a member of this film family (industry) has been arrested. But I will continue to raise my voice," said Lankesh.

Lankesh said, "The police acted promptly and is doing a thorough probe. The media coverage of the probe too has helped send out a strong message to our youth that drug consumption (abuse) and peddling are criminal offences. As a realist, I know we cannot completely root out the menace as it has international nexus. The world is suffering from this. But we can make a honest effort to save our youth as drugs like ganja and cocaine are freely available to children and youths near schools and colleges. It is alarming."