Actress Ambika denies sister Radha’s allegations over Rs 46 crore cheque dispute

Veteran actress Ambika on Wednesday denied allegations of wrongdoing levelled against her by her sister and actor Radha, who has accused her of attempting to defraud her of nearly Rs 46 crore using stolen signed cheques.

Radha has lodged a complaint with the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, alleging that Ambika and their brother, Mallikarjuna Kunjan Nair, stole signed blank cheques from her residence and attempted to encash them.

The complaint has brought a family dispute involving the two actors, who were prominent figures in South Indian cinema during the 1980s, into the public domain.

Speaking to reporters after the complaint was filed, Ambika rejected the allegations, saying there was "no truth" in the charges and expressing distress that the dispute had reached the police.

Radha had alleged that Ambika trespassed into her room and stole signed cheques. Ambika dismissed the claim, saying her sister was extremely careful about her personal belongings and kept them in number-locked bags, making such a theft impossible.

"I worked day and night in my youth for my siblings. To be accused of stealing a cheque from a room is deeply painful and completely absurd. How come it is possible, if she (Radha) is so careful with her belongings," Ambika said.

She also said Radha's manager had handed over five signed cheques to her as part of a formal financial settlement concerning shares in ARS property and gold.

Ambika said ARS Gardens was built with her earnings and named with the blessings of late Tamil Nadu chief minister and actor M G Ramachandran.

"ARS Gardens was built with my hard-earned money and named with MGR's blessings. Seeing its name erased and my rightful shares denied forced us to seek legal recourse," she said.

Ambika said the family had made repeated attempts to settle the matter privately but the dispute eventually led to legal proceedings.

"Because legal proceedings are currently underway, I will respect the law and refrain from further public commentary," she said.