Amid the fallout from a shocking fan murder, Kannada actor Darshan marked his 49th birthday Monday in judicial remand, a far cry from the glamour of his silver-screen life. Supporters, undeterred, massed at his RR Nagar bungalow in Bengaluru, flaunting photo-flags and chanting fervently, prompting swift police barricades to avert disorder.
The passionate turnout signals Darshan’s popularity endures, casting a spotlight on the complexities of celebrity worship amid legal turmoil.
The arrests hit on June 11, 2024: Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 more for abducting and brutally ending Renukaswamy’s life. Core to the probe: the victim’s alleged obscene messages to Pavithra, kindled by fury over Darshan’s affair while wed.
Pavithra seeks interim relief via a 57th Sessions Court petition, stressing her daughter’s exam needs. Prosecutors countered sharply; verdict awaits full hearings.
Jail perks for Darshan, captured in photos from Bengaluru Central, triggered his shift to Ballari Jail. A comprehensive 4,000-page chargesheet maps the plot, with inquiries into accomplices persisting.
Bail granted early was quashed by Supreme Court on appeal, looping back arrests. Fans’ exuberance persists, fueling debates on influence, rage, and retribution in tinsel town’s darker underbelly.