Tugudeep darshan biography of william
The Indian film star arrested in fan’s murder case
BBC News, Delhi
BBC News, Bengaluru
Darshan Thoogudeepa, a superstar of the Kannada-language film industry in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, has been under arrest for the past 10 days in connection with a crime that resembles the plot of a movie.
He is among 17 people picked up by the police for the murder of Renukaswamy - a 33-year-old fan of the actor – after his body was recovered from a drain.
Earlier this week, Bengaluru city Police Commissioner B Dayananda said Renukaswamy was “killed in a very brutal and barbaric way” and described it as a “heinous crime committed in a horrific manner ”.
Police said they believe the 47-year-old actor was angry with Renukaswamy, who worked for a pharmacy company, because he had allegedly sent lewd messages on social media to Pavithra Gowda, an actress who has been described in the Indian press as Darshan’s girlfriend. She is among those arrested.
The charges against the suspects include “murder, kidnapping, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy”.
Darshan is in jail and has not commented on the allegations but his lawyer Ranganath Reddy told the BBC that during their meetings, the actor denied the charges against him.
“These are mere allegations at the moment,” he said. “The police have no direct evidence against Darshan. It’s a case of circumstantial evidence.” Mr Reddy also called claims that Pavithra was married to Darshan “a blatant lie”.
Regarded as the most bankable star of the Kannada film industry, Darshan has starred in about 60 films and many of them have been huge hits.
“He’s the biggest star in the Kannada film industry, with a huge fan following. His face is plastered behind auto-rickshaws and new releases of his films see fans pouring milk on his hoardings,” says film critic S Shiva Kumar.
Kannada film producer Yogish Dwarakish says Darshan is "one actor who can 'Challenging Star' Darshan Thoogudeepa Arrested in Renukaswamy Murder Case: Police Quiz The ActorActor Darshan being subjected to inquiry by police, says Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara
The 47-year-old actor was taken from a Mysuru hotel in connection with the June 9 murder of a man named Renuka Swamy, in the Kamakshipalya area of Bengaluru, according to police sources.
Following the murder, Swamy's body, who was an employee at a pharmacy company and a native of Chitradurga, was found dumped in a water drain in Kamakshipalya.
"A person from Chitradurga was murdered in Bengaluru. In connection with that murder some people have been arrested, and during their inquiry Darshan's name has come, so he has been brought for inquiry," said Parameshwara to reporters.
"Until the investigation is over, nothing can be said. Whether he (Darshan) is involved or not. What is the reason for the murder. Why has his name come? All those things will be known only after the investigation. So at this point in time, nothing else can be said," he added.
It is alleged that the deceased had posted derogatory comments about a film actress on social media.
When asked further, Parameshwara confirmed, "He (Darshan) was arrested in Mysuru and has been brought to Bengaluru. He is in police custody and is being subjected to inquiry."
The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
'Those attempting to harm him will...': Darshan's wife Vijayalakshmi pens note after meeting him
HomeEntertainment
ENTERTAINMENT
Vijayalakshmi penned a message after meeting Darshan, urging all his celebrities to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds.
PTI
Updated : Jun 27, 2024, 10:16 AM IST | Edited by : Manisha Chauhan
Darshan with wife Vijayalakshmi (Image credit: Instagram)
TRENDING NOW
The wife of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who has been arrested in a murder case, on Wednesday urged his fans to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds. Vijayalakshmi shared a fan art on her Instagram account along with a message in which she called her husband's fans celebrities and said that the actor was touched by the support he was getting.
"Call for all our celebrities. You all know how much Darshan loves you. It is sad that we are in this situation today and that we have to stay at a distance from him. I have spoken to him in detail about the situation outside and it has touched his heart," Vijayalakshmi said.
Darshan has urged all his celebrities to stay calm and focus on doing good deeds. He is sure that he will be a part of your prayers, she said. "We have immense faith in the judicial system of our nation and am sure there will be brighter days ahead. I firmly believe that those attempting to harm Darshan through words/action during his absence will be taken care of by Mother Chamundeshwari," she said.
Vijayalakshmi urged the actor's fans to keep supporting him in these hard times, saying, "Your being calm will be our biggest strength. This too shall pass. Truth will Triumph." A total of 17 people, including Darshan and his friend Pavithra Gowda, are accused in the alleged killing of Renukaswamy.
According to police sources, 33-year-old Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor, had sent obsce Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently out on conditional bail in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, was recently seen extending his support to his brother Dinakar Thoogudeepa's film, Royal. Directed by Dinakar, Royal stars young actors Viraat and Sanjana Anand in lead roles. Actor Viraat shared a post on Instagram thanking Darshan for his support. Sharing a picture with Darshan and Dinakar, Viraat wrote, "A big thanks to Darshan Thoogudeepa Shrinivas Sir and Dinakar Thoogudeepa Sir for all the support and kindness! Darshan Thoogudeepa Shrinivas Sir, your encouragement means the world to me and has given me so much strength and to our movie Royal. Thank you for being awesome! (sic)" The trailer ofRoyal was released on January 16, 2025. Darshan shared a post on his social media promoting the film's trailer, urging his fans to support the film. Take a look at the trailer: In his post written in Kannada, Darshan stated, "The trailer of the film Royal, directed by our very own Dinakar, has just been released. With my best wishes to the entire team, which boasts good artists and a good story, I believe that your (audience's) love and support will always be with Kannada cinema." He further added, "Royal hitting theatres from January 24th!" Darshan was granted interim bail on October 30, 2024, for medical reasons and later received conditional bail on December 13, 2024, in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. On the work front, Darshan was working on Devil: The Hero before his legal troubles began. He was last seen on the big screen in 2023's Kannada superhit film, Kaatera. ALSO READ | Gun licence of Kannada actor Darshan, out on bail in murder case, suspended