“O Paapad Wale Pangaa Na Le
Thappad Bajegaa, Pangaa Na Le
Pa Pa Pangaa Na Le
Ungali Daba Ke Anguthha Bana Dungi
Taau Taau.. Waau Waau Waau”

Have you heard of these – well – not-so-famous lines from a famous movie called ‘Makdee’ and the actor who performed brilliantly along with her doppelganger? She also went on to win the national award for best child artiste for the same film in 2002. 

But Shweta? Shweta who? Errr… Shweta Basu Prasad. The name was not so familiar or popular until the 23-year-old was recently caught "red-handed" in Hyderabad for allegedly being involved in a prostitution racket. She has now grabbed the headlines and is famous, and way more famous than what her national award could ever make her.

[Also read: Dear media, report a crime, don’t destroy a 23-yr-old’s life]

According to reports, in a confession to the police, Basu said she was bankrupt and was forced to take up “flesh trade”. The sources said the actress, who was not getting any roles in movies claimed that she made wrong choices in her career, and was out of money.

But, our national conscience, has finally woken up to recognize Shweta Basu Prasad, is it?

Suddenly, we’re all talking about her. Abruptly, we all remember her as the child artiste from Vishal Bharadwaj’s epic movie ‘Makdee’ and the fact that she had shared screen presence with stalwarts such as Shabana Azmi. Oh, to top it, we’re also using ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar ki’ references.

Actress Alia Bhatt tweeted saying, “Did you know that Shweta Basu Prasad was the young starlet from Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii: The actor was recently ... http://bit.ly/1r6q7ja  (SIC)”.

Reports also said police had arrested several well-known businessmen along with the actor. At that, a twitter user @Suparn said, “Dear media, its okay to name Shweta Basu Prasad for ratings & eyeballs but why are you protecting the identities of the men?”

Basu said, “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. I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act."

Incidentally, Shweta also worked in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Iqbal (2005), Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005) and Ram Gopal Varma’s Darna Zaroori Hai (2006).

Taslima Nasreen @taslimanasreen tweeted, “Sad 2 learn Sweta Basu, a fine actress, involved in prostitution. No better ways 2earn money? Don't let anyone 2exploit u”

Another twitter user @DeepikaBhardwaj said, "Shweta Basu is unlucky to hv bn caught. Mny bollywood actresses into prostitution for lucrative money. When caught they "Cry" else "enjoy" (SIC)”.

May be we should relax instead of making such a hue and cry about Shweta's 'misdemeanor' or her being the 'victim'. Let's give her a break. As Basu was also quoted as saying, "I am not the only one who faced this problem, and there are several other heroines who have gone through this phase.”

Meanwhile, in other news, Sania Mirza has reached the finals of the US Open mixed doubles along with her new partner Bruno Soares.