In a stark contrast of celebration and incarceration, Kannada superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa turned 49 on Monday while serving time in jail for his alleged role in a fan’s murder. Outside his Bengaluru home in RR Nagar, hundreds of die-hard fans created a spectacle, waving banners with his photo and shouting slogans that echoed through the neighborhood.
Authorities deployed heavy barricades to corral the exuberant mob, ensuring no breach of peace amid the high-profile case. This fervent support highlights how Darshan’s star power persists unscathed by the grave accusations leveled against him.
The saga began on June 11, 2024, with arrests of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda—seen as his intimate companion—and 15 accomplices in the torture and killing of Renukaswamy. Probe findings point to a vendetta sparked by the victim’s provocative texts to Pavithra, incensed by Darshan’s extramarital affair.
Adding drama, Pavithra’s bail plea invokes maternal duties for her daughter’s exams, filed in the 57th Sessions Court. Government lawyers pushed back hard, setting the stage for a judicial showdown.
Controversy flared when images surfaced of Darshan’s plush jail setup in Bengaluru, resulting in his swift relocation to Ballari. A massive 4,000-page chargesheet outlines a web of involvement, with investigations ongoing into key figures.
Initial bail for Darshan was short-lived; Supreme Court intervention on police appeal sent him back inside. The unwavering fan loyalty raises profound questions about fandom’s blind spots in the face of alleged brutality.