Darshan Skips Court Appearance Citing Aggravated Back Pain After 28-Hour Shoot

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, who is currently busy with the shooting of his latest film Devil, has reportedly aggravated his back pain after a marathon 28-hour shoot. The actor, who recently returned to the sets following physiotherapy and medication for chronic back issues, was expected to appear in court today (April 8), but skipped it citing health concerns.

According to reports, the actor's back pain intensified after an extended shooting schedule, which included a lengthy 28-hour session in Rajasthan. The shoot was part of a combination scene with Bollywood actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar, whose call sheet was nearing its end. Due to the tight schedule, Darshan is said to have pushed himself to wrap up the scenes despite his condition.

Darshan Skips Court Again; Judge Issues Notice, Next Hearing on May 20

The 57th CCH Court in Bengaluru has issued a stern notice to Kannada actor Darshan, directing him to appear before the court in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. The court has adjourned the hearing to May 20, warning that Darshan must not miss the next appearance.

Actor Darshan is the second accused in the case involving the brutal murder of Renukaswamy. A total of 17 people, including the actor, have been granted bail on the strict condition that they attend every court hearing without fail. During the latest hearing on April 8, 16 of the accused were present. However, Darshan failed to appear. His legal team submitted an application seeking exemption, citing illness as the reason for his absence.

The judge, taking serious note of the actor's absence, reminded his counsel that no accused should skip hearings, and Darshan is expected to be present at the next scheduled session.

Non-Stop 28-Hour Shoot Takes a Toll on Darshan's Health

Earlier, Darshan had filmed portions of Devil in Mysuru, primarily talkie sequences. Considering the actor's health, director Prakash reportedly avoided filming action scenes during that schedule. However, the team has remained tight-lipped about the specific content shot in Rajasthan.

Shooting non-stop for 28 hours with a known back issue is no small feat, and while fans have lauded Darshan's dedication, the actor now seems to be paying the price. His recurring back pain has raised concerns about his health ahead of the film's next schedule, which is expected to take place in Hyderabad. The team, however, has not shared an update on when shooting will resume.

Devil is among the most expected films of the year 2025, and despite the delays, the team is aiming for a release within 2025.