Will Darshan Be Banned From Kannada Film Industry? No, Says KFCC Office Bearer

Kannada Producers' Council chief and Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) office bearer Umesh Banakar has clarified that Kannada actor Darshan, arrested in connection with the murder of Renuka Swamy, cannot be banned from the film industry as such an action is illegal.

"We can, however, implement a non-cooperation policy, meaning the industry will not cooperate with Darshan," Banakar told reporters. He explained that this would involve actors, technicians, and other guild members refusing to work with Darshan.

Darshan's arrest follows the death of his fan, Renuka Swamy, who had sent obscene messages about the actor's friend and actress, Pavithra Gowda. Swamy was allegedly taken from Chitradurga to a warehouse owned by Darshan's friend, where he was brutally assaulted and subsequently died.

In addition to Darshan and Pavithra, 11 others have been arrested, while four suspects remain at large, according to media reports.

Banakar mentioned a crucial meeting scheduled for Thursday evening at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to decide the industry's stance on this issue. "The meeting will be led by all the office bearers, including the actors' association president," he added.

When questioned about previous attempts by the KFCC to impose bans on actors and the current situation with Darshan, Banakar responded, "We had tried to enforce a ban before but were compelled to lift it due to the intervention of the late Parvathamma Rajkumar and Ambareesh. We don't want to repeat that mistake. However, with non-cooperation, the 24 associations linked to the KFCC will refuse to work with him."

Regarding support for the victim's family, Banakar stated that the Kannada film industry should assist them. "How we will help and the next steps will be decided in today's meeting," he concluded.