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Bollywood star Sunny Leone has apologised after a man whose phone number is mentioned in one of her most recent films became inundated with calls upon its release.
On Friday 26 July, the film in question – romantic spoof comedy Arjun Patiala – hit cinemas in India and the US.
During one scene in the film, Leone, who plays a character called Baby Narula, shares her phone number with another character.
While many would assume that the screenwriters would have chosen a fake number for the scene, the phone number actually belongs to Puneet Agarwal, a 26-year-old man from Delhi, India.
Agarwal recently claimed he has received more than 100 calls a day since the film's theatrical release.
"I don't even dream any more. The phone keeps ringing until four in the morning," Agarwal told BBC News
The Delhi resident added that he cannot change his phone number because it is connected to his work.
In a recent interview with Indian television channel Zoom TV, Canadian-born Indian-American actor Leone apologised to Agarwal for the inconvenience.
"Sorry. Sorry guy, didn't mean for that to happen to you," the former adult film star laughingly said .
"You must get some really interesting people calling."
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According to BBC News
However, the police told him that there is nothing they could do, as the callers are not committing a criminal offence.
Following a recommendation from the police to take the issue to court, Agarwal launched a petition to have his phone number removed from the film.
He said he has no desire to sue the producers of the film.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Agarwal explained that several of the people who call him request to speak to Leone when he picks up the phone.
However, when he informs them that he has no connection to the actor, the conversation can take a dark turn.
"It starts politely. But once I say I don't know her, they start abusing me," Agarwal said.
"They say they know where I live and they will come teach me a lesson."
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