National Award Winner Shweta Basu Prasad Arrested in Prostitution Racket

In a strange turn of events, “Makdee” star Shweta Basu Prasad was caught in a prostitution racket in Hyderabad.

The actress, who played the role of Shreyas Talpade’s younger sister in “Iqbal” was arrested from a luxury hotel at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, according to the Indian Express.

The 23-year-old was apparently caught in a compromising position at the time of raid and was accompanied by a pimp. The police have also arrested a few well-known businessmen from the hotel.

Citing wrong career choices and financial constraints as reasons, Prasad said every actress apparently goes through such a phase. “I have made wrong choices in my career, and I was out of money. I had to support my family and some other good causes. All the doors were closed, and some people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money,” India Today quoted her.

She added that she was helpless and wasn’t the only one involved in the ‘act’. “I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act. I’m not the only one who faced this problem, and there are several other heroines who have gone through this phase.”

The actor, after a medical test, has now been sent to a rescue home run by the Women and Child Welfare group and will be rehabilitated there for as long as three months.

As a child artiste, Prasad won the National Award in 2002 for displaying her acting prowess in “Makdee”. Supported by Shabana Azmi, Makrand Deshpande and Vijay Raaz, the film received critical acclaim for its incredible performances. Also, award winning “Iqbal” and Ekta Kapoor’s daily soap “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii” saw Prasad essay difficult roles with ease.