GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar November 22 The arrest of stand-up comedian Bharti Singh along with her husband Harsh Limbachiya by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) following seizure of ganja (cannabis) from her house in suburban Andheri in Mumbai has shocked the artistes fraternity of Amritsar. Kewal Dhaliwal a well-known Punjabi playwright and theatre director said it was a shocking development that Bharti could be involved in such things. He said lately she was in contact with him and also recorded comments over a documentary. “I could not believe that it was true though media reports claimed she had confessed her offence. She must have been entangled by some mysterious elements but I have gut feeling that she would come out clean of all the charges” he said. Dhaliwal said she could never afford to tarnish her successful career like this. “She was very ambitious and talented at the same time. With her mother she used to run a small-time garments shop near railway station to earn her livelihood. She has two siblings. She used to perform acts at college level and joined my group Manch Rang Manch” he said. The artiste fraternity believed that after Shushant Singh Rajputs mysterious death the whole film industry has got dwindled as many top rank stars were allegedly involved in drug consumption for having contacts with peddlers. Bharti had faced tough times after losing her father at a very early stage. She graduated from BBK DAV College and started her career in acting from Amritsar in the late 90s by associating with local artistes and conducted various stage shows and plays during the initial days before migrating to Mumbai. She came to limelight after making her presence felt in Laughter Challenge. Jatinder Brar of the Punjab Naatshala said Bharti was more like a daughter who had also performed on the Naatshalas stage in 2003-2004. “If Bharti herself comes to tell me that she is involved in narcotics I will not believe it. She is an ambitious actor and we look at her as a role model for youth of Amritsar” he said. Gurinder Makna who has been a part of various Bollywood and Punjabi films said though it was an unbelievable development that Bharti could be involved in such things yet if it was true then it was terribly shocking. “Mumbais glittering film industry can influence anyone easily to invite vices along with success if number of cases of drug consumption or peddling is anything to go by. During my decade long career in Mumbai I observed that intake of weed was prevalent among some well-known stars. Having said that it still depends upon your conscience and will power to control getting swayed by forbidden activities” he said. She is very ambitious and talented at the same time. With her mother she used to run a small-time garments shop near railway station to earn her livelihood. Kewal Dhaliwal Punjabi playwright If Bharti herself comes to tell me that she is involved in narcotics I will not believe it. She is an ambitious actor and we look at her as a role model for youth of Amritsar. Jatinder Brar Punjab Naatshala If the number of cases of drug consumption or peddling is anything to go by Mumbais glittering film industry can influence anyone easily to invite vices along with success. Gurinder Makna actor

Stay updated with all the Amritsar Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.