No one can accuse Emraan of inciting communal disharmony. Religious discrimination in buying and renting property has been going on a very long time. No one talked about it openly. It's a sensitive issue.'

Office-bearers of the housing society have been changing their statements repeatedly.

'They said he was kept out because he was serial kisser,' the source said. 'For some reason they also made up an absurd allegation that Emraan's parents barged into the office of the property dealers. Emraan's parents had taken a proper appointment and gone and they were treated badly. They were told the housing society people were busy.

'Emraan was enraged because his parents were badly treated. Emraan had earlier bought an apartment in 2007 in Pali Hill. But there was no such problem. This was his first real encounter with discrimination.'

Now the man from whom Emraan wanted to buy the house has backed out.

'The prospective property seller now says he doesn't want to sell. But for Emraan it is no longer about personal hurt. He's standing up for an issue. People have accused him of doing this to gain publicity. Let them say what they like. Emraan doesn't care what the cynics say,' said a friend of the actor.

Asked why the actor had received so little support from the film fraternity, the friend said: 'He wasn't expecting any real support. Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi have spoken on it. Also, Saif Ali Khan. Emraan is prepared to take the issue to its logical conclusion. He hopes people will no longer keep quiet about being denied property in spite of being law-abiding citizens and paying taxes.'

The actor is currently busy shooting for Ekta Kapoor's 'Once Upon A Time'.