Indian actress banned over ‘affair’ with co-star

THE INDIAN film industry in Bangalore has been thrown into chaos over an attempt to ban actress Nikita Thukral from appearing in Kannada language films for three years after accusations she had an affair with her famous co-star, action hero Darshan, who is reportedly under arrest after a row with his wife.

The Kannada Film Producers' Association blacklisted Thukral because it said she had disrupted the "domestic harmony of a fellow actor". The three-year ban was imposed after Darshan, whose nickname is Challenging Star, was arrested on domestic violence charges and hospitalised last week following a bust-up with his wife Vijaylakshmi. She apparently told police the argument was over Darshan's affair.

Thukral, who comes from the northern state of Punjab, but has appeared in dozens of south-Indian language films, has described the ban as "ridiculous" and said no-one had asked for her version of events.

She also has the backing of the Karnataka Cine Actors' Association, which says it will support the actress if she files an official complaint. Others in the Indian film industry are said to be shocked by the ban, and have called it "unprofessional".

Darshan was arrested on Friday after reportedly pulling a gun on his wife. He was then taken to hospital with respitory problems. News of his arrest prompted protests in Bangalore, where police used canes to disperse hundreds of fans.

The KFPA then issued a statement that announced: "Since Vijayalakshmi has given a complaint naming the actress responsible for the storm in her marital life, we have taken a decision to ban the actress for three years."

However, Vijaylakshmi has since tried to withdraw her police complaint, but Darshan is reportedly still under arrest in hospital.

Thukral was also hospitalised in Mumbai on Monday suffering from stress. But she denies having an affair and said: "There's nothing between us beyond a professional relationship. If Darshan has a problem with his wife, how am I responsible?"

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