Chrisanne Pereira
Bollywood actor Chrisann Pereira jailed in UAE's Sharjah in false drug case released; recounts her ordeal in letter
Mumbai/IBNS: Chrisann Pereira, a 27-year-old Bollywood actor from Mumbai’s Borivali, who was falsely implicated in a drug case and detained in a prison in Sharjah, UAE, narrated her traumatic experience in a letter, media reports said.
She recounted how she had to wash her hair with Tide laundry detergent powder and make coffee with toilet water during her 26-day stay in jail. The actor has now been released and is anticipated to return to India soon.
“Dear Warriors, It took me three weeks and five days to find pen and paper in jail. After I washed my hair with Tide and made coffee using toilet water, I watched Bollywood movies, sometimes with tears in my eyes knowing my ambition brought me here. I sometimes smile at our culture, our movies and the familiar faces on TV. I feel proud to be an Indian and belong to the Indian film industry,” the letter read, according to Indian Express.
Expressing her gratitude, the actor thanked her family, friends, police, churches, media, and all those who supported her innocence, for giving her hope during her difficult time.
“You are the real warriors while I am just a pawn in this dirty game played by these ‘Mansters’. I am forever grateful to everyone who tweeted and reshared my story to arrest the real criminals facilitating international organised crime. We are a great powerful nation and I cannot wait to return home,” she said in the letter.
“Thank you for saving my life and the lives of other innocent people who fell prey to this scam. May justice always prevail,” she concluded.
Pereira was arrested in Sharjah on April 1, following false accusations made by Anthony Paul, a bakery owner from Borivali.
Paul had allegedly framed her in a drug case, by having his friend Rajesh Borate pose as a talent manager named Ravi, and approach Pereira, who had acted in films such as Sadak 2 and Batla House.
According to reports, Ravi, who claimed to be a talent manager, invited Pereira for an audition for an international web series in Sharjah.
He arranged for her travel and accommodation, but before her departure, he gave her a memento containing drugs without her knowledge. The accused then informed the Sharjah police who arrested her upon her arrival.
Chrisann Pereira has been involved in numerous plays, including Three Women, Drumroll, and Sundays with Chitra. She has also acted in the web series Thinkistan. Pereira resides with her parents and brother in Borivli.
According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, who supervised the investigation, the actor is anticipated to arrive in India within the next 48 hours. The statement was made on Wednesday, Indian Express reported.
After investigation, the Mumbai Crime Branch found that Anthony Paul had a grudge against Pereira's mother following a fight they had during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To take revenge, he allegedly plotted against Pereira and four others.
Clayton Rodrigues is one of the victims who is still imprisoned in Sharjah.
Police have already arrested both Paul and Borate in connection with the case.
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