Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa has anger issues, a co-star has claimed amid allegations that he got a man killed for posting lewd comments about his co-star Pavithra Gowda.

Anusha Rai, another co-star of Darshan, said in a recent interview she couldn’t believe that the actor was involved in the murder case and that he was a very humble and caring person.

“He has anger issues, but he is also very humble and good. He doesn’t get angry about everything. People talk to him carefully. When I speak to him, I keep within my limits. Darshan has openly admitted in interviews that he has anger issues,” she told Hindustan Times.

She, however, said she wasn’t aware of Darshan’s relationship with Pavithra.

Ms Rai also expressed concern about the actor’s wife and 15-year-old son, who are facing hate comments online, in an Instagram post earlier this week. Pointing out that Darshan is yet to be convicted, she said the law will take its course.

Renuka Swamy, a 33-year-old resident of Chitradurga in Karnataka, was allegedly tortured and killed by Darshan and his fans after they kidnapped him from his home on June 8. Next morning, his body was found in a drain in Bengaluru.

His autopsy found 15 wounds on his body and revealed that he died of shock and haemorrhage.

Darshan, a popular name in the Kannada film industry, was arrested two days later from his Mysuru farmhouse. Pavithra, his co-star, has been named the main accused in the case, and is also in custody. 

Actor Sanjjanaa Galrani, who has worked with him, had earlier told NDTV that he was a “demigod figure” in the Kannada industry and that his arrest marked a “black day” for the artistes.

On Darshan’s “temperamental nature” and past controversies, Ms Galrani had defended him saying he was a “soft-spoken gentleman” with a respectful and gentle nature.

“The person being spoken about in the news and the person that I know feel like two different personalities,” she had stated.

Bengaluru:

Sridhar, the manager of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa’s farmhouse in Bengaluru, died by suicide, police said. In a video message, the manager revealed that he was battling severe depression. 

In the video discovered on his phone, Sridhar requested authorities not to involve his family in any investigation into the case. 

The actor Darshan is embroiled in a high-profile murder case involving a fan named Renuka Swamy, a case that has garnered significant media attention. Darshan, along with actress Pavithra Gowda, rumoured to be his girlfriend, and more than 15 others, has been arrested in connection with Mr Swamy’s murder.

Mr Swamy was allegedly kidnapped from Karnataka’s Chitradurga and brought to Bengaluru, where he was reportedly tortured and ultimately killed. The investigation has uncovered gruesome details, including allegations that Darshan and his associates branded Mr Swamy with a hot metal rod and subjected him to electric shocks. These acts were allegedly carried out because Swamy had sent obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda.

The police have already recovered Rs 15 lakh, believed to be the proceeds of the crime. It has been reported that Darshan provided this money to his aides to admit their involvement in the murder for financial gain. 

New Delhi:

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa was recently taken into police custody in connection with the murder of Renuka Swamy, a 33-year-old fan. As the investigation continues, with 17 arrested so far in the case, the unresolved mystery of the disappearance of Darshan’s former manager, Mallikarjun B Sankanagoudar has come to the fore. 

According to a report by OneIndia, Mallikarjun, originally from Karnataka’s Gadag district, worked closely with Darshan, managing his film schedules and various affairs, but has been missing since 2016. His role extended beyond typical managerial duties as he ventured into film production and distribution. However, financial troubles loomed large over Mallikarjun’s professional life.

Investments in film production led to substantial losses, plunging him into debt, the report claims. Among his creditors was veteran actor Arjun Sarja, who reportedly lent him Rs 1 crore. The debt became a legal matter when Mr Sarja filed a lawsuit to recover the loan, citing an agreement related to the distribution of the movie ‘Prema Baraha,’ which he directed.

Reports suggest that Mallikarjun allegedly misappropriated around Rs 2 crore from Darshan. His sudden vanishing act has left many questions unanswered, particularly about the debts and the circumstances surrounding his financial dealings.

Despite ongoing efforts by the police, Mallikarjun remains untraceable. The Thoogudeepa family has remained silent on the issue, leading to speculation about whether there has been a deliberate attempt to ignore the situation.

Renuka Swamy, a devoted fan of Darshan, was allegedly murdered on the orders of the actor himself. Mr Swamy, who worked at a pharmacy, had reportedly been harassing Pavithra Gowda, Darshan’s rumoured girlfriend, by sending her objectionable messages and pictures. This provoked Darshan, leading to the brutal killing orchestrated by a gang.

The police have arrested 17 people in connection with the murder, including Darshan and Pavithra Gowda. 

New Delhi:

Popular Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep has sought swift justice in the murder case in which another Sandalwood star, Darshan Thoogudeepa, and his girlfriend Pavithra Gowda are accused.

Darshan Thoogudeepa along with his co-star and girlfriend Pavithra Gowda and 11 others, is in police custody. Sources say Ms Gowda had prompted Darshan to “punish” Renuka Swamy for derogatory remarks allegedly made on social media.

“Justice is different from friendship and justice should be given to Renuka Swamy’s family. Whoever is guilty should be punished. It is important to get justice for those who have been wronged, regardless of the town,” Kiccha Sudeep told reporters.

“His wife and family deserve justice,” he said.

Investigation reveals that Darshan and his aides took Swamy to a shed in Bengaluru’s Kamakshipalya. There, Darshan allegedly thrashed Swamy with a belt, and his aides beat him with sticks until he lost consciousness.

The assault resulted in multiple fractures and severe injuries. Renuka Swamy’s body, later found by a food delivery rider, was being nibbled by dogs. The autopsy report confirmed the brutal nature of the murder, citing shock and haemorrhage as the cause of death.

Mr Thoogudeepa had allegedly planted three men to take the blame for the murder, but during interrogation, they were exposed, the police have said, adding he offered the three Rs 5 lakh each.

The case has sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests across Karnataka.

Chitradurga (Karnataka):

The police team probing the Renuka Swamy murder case, in which leading Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his actress friend Pavithra Gowda are the key accused, seized a car on Sunday that was allegedly used in kidnapping the victim.

One of the accused persons, Ravi, had allegedly parked the car at a house at Ayyanahalli village in Chitradurga district.

Forensic experts were present when the vehicle was seized.

The police also interrogated Ravi’s family and seized many items from the car.

Darshan and Pavithra, along with over 15 people, have been arrested in connection with the Renuka Swamy murder case.