Karan never paid me, Ajay using me as a scapegoat: KRK

Mumbai : Kamaal Rashid Khan on Friday said actor Ajay Devgn's move to release the audio of the former "Bigg Boss" contestant's admission that he was paid to tweet in favour of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" was just a way to target filmmaker Karan Johar. Devgn's "Shivaay" and Johar's romantic drama will fight it out at the box office next month. Last evening, Devgn tweeted audio of a purported conversation between KRK and "Shivaay" producer Kumar Mangat, where the latter is heard asking him why was he writing flattering things about "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" and criticising Devgn's film. KRK is heard replying, "Have to tweet good things about Karan Johar's film, he paid me 25 lakhs." KRK said Ajaydoes not have any "emotional connect" with the industry, as mentioned by the actor in his statement last night, and was merely using him as a scapegoat. "I feel that this isn't about Ajay's emotional connection with the industry, it is only a matter of money. Ajayis targeting Karan by using my name as he wants to drag the matter to the court," KRK told reporters here. While Karan has maintained silence on the matter, Ajaylast evening demanded an investigation as to whether the filmmaker bribed KRK. KRK said Johar never paid him to badmouth any film. "Karan never asked me to badmouth any film. I've been made a scapegoat. Everyone believes that by associating with me they will gain publicity. I'd only like to ask Ajayto fight it out with Karan Johar, one-on-one, like men do." Both Devgn and Johar have a lot riding on their respective movies. Ajaymakes a comeback to direction with "Shivaay" which he has said is his most ambitious project, and Karan has gone behind the lens with his Ranbir Kapoor-starrer after a gap of four years.