String of complaints against actor Darshan

BENGALURU: The verbal exchange between actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and movie producer Umapathi Srinivas in full media glare is turning personal and taking many dimensions. Apart from this, a series of complaints were lodged against Darshan for using inappropriate words against women during the celebration to mark his 25 years in Kannada cinema held in Srirangapatna recently.

An organisation called the Gowdathiyara Sene has already filed a complaint against Darshan with the State Women’s Commission and also filed a case at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. Now some people have approached the police.

Ganesh Gowda and Jagadish have lodged two complaints against Darshan at the RR Nagar and Chandra Layout police stations for using abusive language at women from a public platform and insulting an influential community leader of the state. The Women’s Association demanded a public apology from the actor.

The activists mentioned in the complaint that the actor had used derogatory words about influential community leaders of the state and women. The complainants urged the police to transfer the case registered in Puttenahalli to Pandavapura as the place where the statement was made, falls under the jurisdiction of Pandavpura police station. Thus, preparations are being made to transfer the cases.

Kannada Shafi, a member of a pro-Kannada organisation, complained to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce that actor Darshan had used a specific word against producer Umapathi. He mentioned in the complaint that disciplinary action should be taken against Darshan and that the actor should apologise immediately to the producer, or else they will stage a protest in front of the actor’s residence. But, later on, Shafi withdrew his complaint.

Shafi has now apologised to Darshan and his fans and said that he will withdraw the complaint. Shafi criticised the actor and the video also went viral. Following the viral video, Shafi has apologised for that too.

Kannada Shafi, in another video, said that he not only apologises for the complaint but would also withdraw it. “We and other organisations have taken a hasty decision. This has hurt the senior actors”, he said. Shafi also said that he apologises to all Kannadigas.