In a curious twist to the Darshan saga, the Kannada Film Producers’ Association on Sunday ‘unanimously’ decided to suspend actress Nikitha, allegedly linked to the star, for a period of three years. The producers decided to suspend the actress blaming her for the entire episode involving ‘Challenging Star’ Darshan, who ended up in jail for allegedly assaulting his wife. Interestingly, the actor, who is undergoing treatment, has been spared of any such action.

The president of the association, Mr Muniratna, said a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting based on the complaint by Vijayalaksmi, wife of Darshan, who has named the actress as one of the reasons for differences between the couple.

“It is a decision taken by the producers’ association and not by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. Nikitha has been suspended for three years and it will serve as a warning to others”, said Mr Muniratna.

He claimed that the association had come across a few facts about Nikitha’s role behind the rift between the couple, and hence a a decision was taken to keep her away from Sandalwood in the interest of Darshan’s family. He further said that the association took the decision without consulting Nikitha.

The actress reacted to the ban saying she was deeply hurt by the decision.Several women’s organisation have strongly condemned the decision stating that it was biased and that injustice had been meted out to the actress who was being made a scapegoat in the issue.
Senior advocate and former chairperson of state women’s commission Pramila Nesargi said that the decision was unwarranted. “In order to save Darshan, they have targeted Nikitha.”

Referring to Vijayalakshmi’s U-turn in her affidavit before a judge which contradicted her compliant to the police, Ms Nesargi said that whoever asked to her do so has insulted her. “In her affidavit, she has stated that she was in depression. This will give Darshan an opportunity to claim for divorce in future,” she said.

This is not the first time

The Kannada Film Producers’ Association had also banned leading actress Ramya during March, for one year, stating that no Kannada film producer will sign up the actress. The ban came following a financial dispute with a producer, but was later revoked.

Actor may be out of hospital soon

In some relief to actor Darshan, doctors treating on him at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) say he could be discharged in the next three to five days if there are no sudden complications.

“Generally, in cases of normal asthma, one does not require hospitalisation. But, in Darshan’s case, since it was undiagnosed and untreated asthma which aggravated due to stress, climate and smoking habit, he had to be hospitalized. He seems to be responding well to medication now,” said Dr Shashidhar Buggi, director, RGICD.

He said that Darshan is still on antibiotics and steroids, and partially on IV fluids as he was allowed to have solid food since Sunday. “We will follow up with repeat liver function test on Monday to check on the bilirubin levels. If his jaundice is not something to worry about, then he can be discharged after a couple of days,” said Dr Buggi.

He also added that he does not show any behavioural problem . “It is possible that due to stress, he was manifesting certain behavioural problems,” said Dr Buggi.

The actor’s Vijayalaksmi, who was admitted to BGS Global Hospitals late on Friday evening, was discharged on Sunday afternoon after which she visited her husband along with her son. She later left for Darshan’s residence in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

“She had fractures in the index fingers of both hands. No major surgery was required and she is stable now,” Dr G. Mallinath of BGS Global Hospitals.


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