Mumbai: Shashilal Nair, producer-director of controversial film 'Ek Chhoti Si Love Story', on October 5 tendered an unqualified apology in Mumbai High Court in response to a suo motu contempt notice issued against him and cine actress Manisha Koirala for taking their dispute to a third party for settlement despite the matter being sub-judice.

Justices R M Lodha and Dilip Bhosale, however, have not accepted the apology so far, as they wanted to hear the actress on a similar contempt notice issued against her.

As Manisha has been hospitalised for treatment of a hip fracture, the court exempted her for the day and allowed her to file an affidavit on October 10.

As regards the appeal filed by the actress against an earlier order of the High Court dismissing her plea to delete the objectionable shots in the film, the judges adjourned the matter for arguments on October 17.

The court also noted that Manisha and Nair were working on a proposal for settlement. Their lawyers informed the judges that a proposal in this regard was under consideration.

Nair, appearing in person, said he was extremely sorry for taking his dispute to a third person and in doing so he had no intention to undermine the authority of the court.

Nair's counsel V R Manohar and Janak Dwarkadas said his client was not at all justifying his action, which had attracted contempt but was tendering an unqualified apology.

PTI