Kannada director Hemanth Rao on Darshan facing murder allegations, “I am at a loss of words at how ridiculous Darshan’s decision making has been in all of this”

By Subhash K. Jha -

June 17, 2024 - 12:08 PM IST

It happened earlier in the South when Malayalam star Dileep was accused of instigating sexual assault on a female co-actor in a moving vehicle. Now it is the Kannada film industry, which has been rocked by the gruesome and violent murder allegedly committed by Kannada star Darshan and his alleged accomplices.

Kannada director Hemanth Rao on Darshan facing murder allegations, “I am at a loss of words at how ridiculous Darshan’s decision making has been in all of this”

I tried to speak to several of Kannada cinema’s leading actors and filmmakers. They all barricaded my efforts. A major Kannada star, whom I respect for his straightforwardness pleaded, “Sir, please don’t involve me in this. It has nothing to do with me.” I reminded him that none of us had anything to do with the Nirbhaya case. He argued back, “This is about standing by a colleague. If he has done this, the law should punish him. But I don’t want to say anything.”

Shamefully, I faced the same stonewalling during the Dileep episode where the biggest Malayalam superstars held their peace.

Finally, though, someone with a strong voice did speak up about the Darshan incident, and slow clapping for filmmaker Hemanth Rao who directed last year’s stunning Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A and its sequel.

Said Hemanth, “Hello, sir. I am at a loss of words at how ridiculous his (Darshan’s) decision making has been in all of this. I hope the law and judicial process stay true to the victim.”

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