TV actor Nilani was rushed to Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH) on Thursday after having attempted suicide at her residence in Valasaravakkam. This comes a day after her interview to local television channels.
Nilani had given an interview to local media channels on September 19 to clarify her stance following assistant director Gandhi Lalitkumar’s suicide a day before. In the video, the actor is seen in tears, explaining that she had never absconded, as reported by a majority of news channels after Gandhi’s death and that she had only gone to visit his family.
A single mother of two children, Nilani pleaded to the press to not compare her with Abirami, the Chennai woman who has been arrested for having allegedly poisoned her own children, in a bid to elope with her boyfriend.
Blaming the media and people on social media for hounding and blaming her for Gandhi's suicide she said, "I have a young daughter. People are comparing me with Abirami on social media, do I not know how to remarry someone else? I’ve been living genuinely for the sake of my children. They are my world. Why are people portraying me in a very bad light?”
Nilani claimed that she was constantly harassed by Gandhi Lalitkumar for over two years, and that he had been forcing her to accept his proposal of marriage. Nilani further alleged that while they had known each other as friends and he had forcibly tied a thaali on her neck once. But she broke off the ‘marriage’ after she realised that he'd allegedly cheated many women in a similar way, Nilani said.
Gandhi, however, was reportedly persistent in his efforts despite her making her intentions clear, dropping in uninvited at her workplace and her house several times.
Nilani had filed a complaint with the Mylapore Police Station on September 16, alleging that she was being harassed by Gandhi Lalitkumar, following which the police counselled the two. Gandhi Lalitkumar’s death came two days later on September 18, when he doused himself in petrol in KK Nagar area in Chennai.
TV actor Nilani was arrested in May this year for posting a viral video criticising the Thoothukudi firings that killed many in the district. She was wearing a police uniform, one that she wore for a role she was then playing in a TV soap.
Soon after Gandhi Lalitkumar’s suicide, his brother alleged that Nilani had cheated on him and that Gandhi took his life unable to stand the rejection. He also claimed to have photos and videos of the two together.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Tamil Nadu: State health department suicide helpline number - 104. Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050