Bollywood Actresses Brought Drug Culture To Tamil Films: RJ Suchitra Amid Srikanth's Arrest In Cocaine Case

The arrest of actor Srikanth on drug charges has shaken the Tamil film industry, igniting a broader discussion about substance abuse within Kollywood. As investigations unfold, there are hints that more celebrities might be involved. Prominent figures like music composer Vijay Antony, singer Suchitra, and producer Balaji Prabhu have shared their views, further fuelling the debate.

Industry Insiders Acknowledge Pervasive Issue

Vijay Antony has acknowledged that drug addiction is not new in cinema. He remarked, "Today, it is not the same, now even in our group there may be someone with a drug addiction. There has been a drug addiction in cinema for many days." His words have resonated widely, highlighting concerns about drug use among film fraternity members.

Singer Suchitra added to the conversation by questioning why film industry professionals aren't subjected to drug tests. She stated, "As far as the film industry is concerned, no one who uses drugs is allowed to take a blood test." Her comments have sparked significant controversy.

Suchitra further alleged that the drug culture was introduced to the Tamil film industry by actors from Mumbai, particularly those coming for "honorary roles and item songs." She asserted, "Some people from places like Mumbai who come to act in honorary roles and item songs have introduced the drug culture into the Tamil film industry. They have introduced this culture into the film industry by saying that we will use this like everyone in Mumbai brushes their teeth in the morning." She also claimed that these actors "do whatever they want here and then return to Mumbai. No one talks about them here," a statement that has caused significant controversy.

Tracing the Origins: From "Cargo Bottle" to the Pandemic

Producer Balaji Prabhu discussed how drug use evolved from "cargo bottle" to various substances today. He noted an increase during the Corona pandemic due to TASMAC liquor outlets closing. "Because of the closure of TASMAC, when alcohol lovers come to the decision of finding drugs somehow, some people have to go in search of ganja," he explained.

Prabhu also addressed reports of widespread drug use among actresses and cautioned against unsubstantiated claims. He dismissed notions that only young music composers use drugs to create music. "It is not possible to confirm that this is him or her. One should not talk like that," he advised.

Debating the "Bollywood Influence"

Prabhu, however, expressed skepticism about Suchitra's claim that Bollywood actors solely introduced this culture. While acknowledging some influence from Bollywood, he argued against attributing it entirely to them. He highlighted Kollywood's growing global stature and its multi-crore businesses.

Prabhu supported Vijay Antony's view on widespread drug use beyond Srikanth. He said, "Some people are coming forward to say that apart from Srikanth, others are also using drugs in the film industry." His comments suggest a high prevalence of substance abuse.

Prabhu recalled past instances of substance use in the industry but noted it was less disruptive then. He mentioned disciplined figures like Sivakumar and AR Rahman who maintained clean images despite such issues being present for decades.

The Imperative to Eradicate Drug Culture

Ultimately, Prabhu stressed eliminating drug culture from Kollywood regardless of its origin. He pointed out clubs and bars where such activities might occur as broader societal issues. "It is more important to remove this drug culture from here than from where it came from," he concluded.

Actor Srikanth has been sent to judicial custody in connection with the drug case.

In the past, many Telugu and Hindi actors were investigated by the authorities in drug-related cases.
Hyderabad Drug Case: Telugu Actors Linked

2017 Tollywood Drug Racket

In 2017, a major drug racket involving high-end narcotics like LSD and MDMA was busted by Telangana's Prohibition and Excise department in Hyderabad.

The investigation led to the questioning of over 10 Tollywood personalities, including, actress Rakul Preet Singh, fFilmmaker Puri Jagannadh, actors Rana Daggubati, Ravi Teja, Charmee Kaur and Mumaith Khan

These celebrities were questioned as part of a probe to determine if they had any links as consumers or suppliers, or connections to those arrested in the racket. Hair and nail samples were collected for forensic analysis.

Recent High-Profile Cases (2024-2025)

Actor Krishna: Linked to the same case as Srikanth, Krishna was interrogated for over 17 hours regarding his involvement. He was named by other suspects and is under investigation, with police scrutinizing his financial and communication recorded

Actor Hema: In 2024, Telugu character actor Hema was named in a chargesheet related to a rave party in Bengaluru, where her blood samples tested positive for MDMA. The event included several film personalities and was described as a drug-inclusive party.

Producer KP Chowdary: Telugu film producer KP Chowdary was arrested in 2023 for possession and distribution of cocaine, with his client list allegedly including actors and actresses from the Telugu and Tamil industries. He later died by suicide in Goa.

Amanpreet Singh: In 2024, actor Rakul Preet Singh's brother Amanpreet Singh was arrested by Hyderabad Police in connection with a drugs case. He was among the 13 people arrested for alleged drug consumption and tested positive for cocaine use, according to a report in The Times of India.