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In a startling interview earlier this week, Happy New Year actor Daisy Irani revealed she was raped by an industry member when she was only six years old.

The revelation has sent shockwaves through film circles in India, and Farhan Akhtar, who is Daisy's nephew, has said that while he is "heartbroken" to have learned about her ordeal, he is also "proud" of his aunt.

In her interview with Mumbai Mirror, Daisy Irani said she was raped in a hotel room by a "guardian" who was appointed by her mother to accompany Irani on an outdoor shoot of her film Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke.

The 66-year-old actor said she can only "recall the incident in flashes" but "I do remember the killing pain, and the visual of him belting me." She revealed that the man named Nazar was well-connected in the film industry: "He accompanied me to a film shoot in Madras. One night in the hotel room he violated me, hit me with a belt and warned me that he would kill me if I ever told anyone about what had happened."

Daisy Irani also added that her mother, who was "hell-bent on making her a star", got to know about the incident several years later and that the man is no longer alive now.

In response to her revelation, Farhan Akhtar tweeted, "Heartbroken upon reading this article but proud that my aunt Daisy Irani spoke up. It's tragic to see parents push their kids to breaking point in order to achieve success vicariously through them."

"This should serve as wake up call for the film and TV industry. Be aware. Be warned," the actor-filmmaker added in his tweet.

In her interview, Irani added, "Child actors have it tough. In a majority of cases they have been taken advantage of. Maybe a few have had it easy, but most don't, really,"

She also shared another incident when her mother dolled her up for a meeting with a film producer.

When I was 15 or so, my mother made me wear a sari, padded me up with a new-fangled sponge, and left me alone with producer Mallikchand Kochar, who was planning a film called Mere Huzoor then, at his office. It was all quite hilarious... He joined me on the sofa, and started touching me... I knew what was on his mind. I took out the sponge things and handed them to him. He was furious. Now why did I do that? Because, I've always seen the funnier side of things," she told Mumbai Mirror.