In what turned out to be a case of sheer malice to avenge a familial dispute, Borivali-based actor Chrisann Pereira, 27, took to her Insta handle recount her harrowing 26 days in a Sharjah prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after she was framed in a drug case. The actor was released on Wednesday evening and is expected to reach India soon.
Calling her supporters, “warriors,” she thanked all for saving her life: “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.
Significantly, all Insta links to her brother and her account have been broken or suspended ever since she described the ordeal.
The actor was put behind bars on April 1 after Borivali-based bakery owner, Anthony Paul (35), framed her in a narcotics case. The story goes back to a fight between Paul and the actor’s mother during the lockdown. “The entire episode was a brainchild of Paul and his friend Rajesh Bhobate. The latter approached the actor as a talent manager offering her a chance to audition for an international web series in Sharjah. The tickets and hotels were arranged for by Paul. On April 1, when she was to leave for Sharjah, Bhobate handed over a memento with drugs hidden in it. The accused then tipped off the Sharjah police who arrested the actor. There were four others trapped thus, one of whom – Clayton Rodrigues – is still lodged in Sharjah Prison. We have arrested Paul and Bhobate,” shared JCP (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, who oversaw the probe.
After Pereira’s detention, her family left no stone unturned in seeking justice. In a letter to MLA Gopal Shetty on April 8 seeking his intervention, her parents reported that they had been to MHB Colony Police but no action had been initiated against the accused. The family also shared evidence in the form of WhatsApp messages sent to Pereira by Rajesh and a video clip of his meeting with her.
Pereira has acted in films such as Sadak 2 and Batla House. She has also been part of popular stage acts such as Three Women, Drumroll and Sundays with Chitra.
Also Read: Kaira Dairy Threatens GCMMF With AMUL Name Recall If Kiwi Woman’s Charges Proved
