Mumbai
Shah told the police that no one at the event warned him not to release balloons as the airport was nearby. "I have been hosting events for the past one year and never faced any problem. Earlier too, at the same venue, balloons were released during events, but nothing of this sort happened," he said.
Updated : May 28, 2015, 07:50 AM IST
Kunal Shah, who was arrested by the airport police on Tuesday for managing the event in which six bunches of balloons were released in the no-flying zone and were mistaken as parachutes by authorities, has now vowed to make all necessary checks in the future while hosting any event.
Speaking to dna at length on the issue, Shah (32) said, "I got a call from the police on Monday evening, saying they wanted to talk to me. I told my parents that I am going to meet a few friends and left to meet the police. When officers told me that the balloons that were released in the air became a huge national issue, I was shocked. I never expected releasing balloons during a cricket tournament inaugural event would put so many agencies on their toes and would be seen as a possible security threat."
Shah told the police that no one at the event warned him not to release balloons as the airport was nearby. "I have been hosting events for the past one year and never faced any problem. Earlier too, at the same venue, balloons were released during events, but nothing of this sort happened," he said.
Another person to be arrested in the case, Nilesh Shrimankar (41), is Shah's helper.
Shah had bagged the contract to manage the event through a friend for a mere Rs11,000. "I charge less as I am new to this field and want to create my own goodwill. On Tuesday, when the police told me I will be arrested in the case, I told my parents the facts of the case and assured them that I will be home soon," he added.
Asked whether this incident has made him learn any lessons, Shah said, "I will get every required permission for every event I manage henceforth. Next time I want to be 100% sure that balloons don't land me in trouble," Shah said with a smile.
Speaking about the police, he said they were only doing their job and that he has no complaint against them. "I apologise to the police and all other authorities for the inconvenience they had to face because of me," he said.