The nude cover
The latest scandal started when FHM India released its December 2011 cover online. The cover features Veena sans any article of clothing, just covering up her private parts with strategically placed arms and a raised leg.

The scandal might not have been as big had the actress not been sporting a mock tattoo of the initials 'ISI' -- short for Pakistan's notorious Inter-Services Intelligence agency -- on her arm, with the tag line, “hand in the end of the world too?”

As the uproar over the cover grew, Veena arrived in Mumbai (to start shooting for 'Swayamvar Season 4') and made a statement calling the picture a fake.

“I have never posed nude. I have never done anything like that ever. My manager and legal team is looking into the matter. We will take legal action against them,” she said.

The 33-year-old actress added, “The picture has been morphed. It’s not me. Definitely not.”

'We have video' -- FHM
In response, FHM India's editor, Kabeer Sharma, said Veena's claim was false.

“We have video footage of the shoot as well as emails from Veena about how she's looking forward to the cover,” he told BBC.

“The idea to have ISI written on her arm was mine, and it was Veena's idea to have it in block letters,” Kabeer added, saying that it was just supposed to be a joke.

The magazine also released a second cover for the December issue on Saturday, this one featuring Veena wearing just a utility belt and holding what appears to be a grenade in one hand while keeping everything else the same, including the 'ISI' tattoo.

Stylist and photographer say photo genuine
Now, Indian Express has come out with a report saying Veena's stylist Nitasha Gaurav and photographer Vishal Saxena also say that the cover shot is genuine.

Nitasha, who apparently styled the actress for the shoot and attended it as well, told Indian Express, “I was informed about it a week in advance and I was told that she would be going nude for it. So clearly, the production team of the magazine had discussed it with her.

“Even on the day of the shoot, she was happy and comfortable with it. There was no issue at all as she was very much willing to do it.”

Photographer Vishal also said Veena had readily agreed to the shoot on an email, with the cover shot being just one of many photos taken that day.

“Veena really liked the concept and she was very cooperative and comfortable when I shot her. As soon as she gave a shot, she even wanted to see the pictures. It is really hard to tell why this sudden change in behaviour,” he told the newspaper.

Hot water is too hot?
Well, that change might be stemming from a realisation that the actress could just have landed herself into a little too hot water.

Rumours are now flying that Pakistani authorities might “pursue the matter” legally and take “strict action” against her if it gets proven that the photo is real. It is also being said that Veena has popped up on the radar of Indian Intelligence and they are going to be taking a closer look at her, thanks to the 'ISI' tattoo.

Considering that Pakistan is her home and India is pretty much her workplace nowadays, trouble with either country's authorities can make life difficult for her.