In one of those weird alignments of celebrity, politics, war and scandal, the allegations aired in a Department of Defence document smack of chauvinism, and those stereotypes the army is desperate to avoid. The story was broken by former Bulletin editor Gary Linnell; who pointed out a slightly seedy connection or pun:
Zaetta was the co-host of 1990s television show Who Dares Wins, which is also the motto of the Australian SAS.The claims were contained in a defence briefing document which had as recipients Defence Minister and other departmental honchos suggested that the Bollywood star had engaged in inappropriate conduct with troops, despite briefings that fraternizing with troops would be a breach of internal Defence regulation. Kevin Rudd has to deal with the fallout:
Defence has apologised in terms of their handling of this particular document.
There is a full defence investigation under way in relation to two matters - what transpired there (Afghanistan) and, secondly, on the question of the actual handling of this document.
He also reaffirmed Ms Zaetta's right to sue if the document proved to be incorrect. The defamation payout may however not compensate her for the mud that may stick to her and rub off on a Bollywood career, with The Hindustan Times' main online headline: "Who dares loses. Starlet Tania romped with troops in war zone."
In a conservative movie culture where producers have been sued for allowing an on screen kiss, even the allegations of misbehaviour may be enough to end her career.
And thanks to the magic of Youtube, here's a bit of Tania circa 2002, co-hosting Who Dares Wins with Mike Whitney.
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