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With Devil releasing now, Darshan has become the first Indian actor to have two films hit the screens while he is in jail. It is a statistic that sounds almost cinematic in itself.
For the Kannada film industry, this becomes yet another chapter in a long-standing debate. Should a film be punished for the actions of its lead actor? (Image: X)
Kannada star Darshan may be inside judicial custody, but his film Devil walked into theatres today with packed shows, security checks, and the kind of hushed curiosity only a scandal-soaked release can create. Bengaluru’s film crowd has seen dramatic Fridays before, but this one carries a strange sense of déjà vu. Because this is not the first time a Darshan movie has released while the actor himself is in jail.
The First Time It Happened
Back in 2011, Darshan Thoogudeepa was arrested after an assault case involving his wife Vijayalakshmi. Even as the investigation unfolded and the industry went into shock, his film Sarathy released in theatres. The timing was accidental, yet it turned into a major flashpoint.
Crowds flocked theatres, both in support and in protest, and the film quietly wrote itself into Kannada cinema trivia as the only mainstream star film to release while its lead actor was behind bars. That record stood untouched for more than a decade. Until today.
A Second Release From Jail
With Devil releasing now, Darshan has become the first Indian actor to have two films hit the screens while he is in jail. It is a statistic that sounds almost cinematic in itself. The industry works on carefully planned dates, marketing cycles, and star appearances. But here is a film arriving without its hero stepping out for promotions, without interviews, without the usual noise. And yet the buzz is louder than ever.
Theaters in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Davanagere, Ballari, and coastal Karnataka recorded early morning bookings far above the usual weekday numbers. Fans gathered even without cut-outs or midnight celebrations, partly subdued and partly determined to keep the star’s screen presence alive.
On the flip side, police presence outside select theatres was increased to avoid crowd trouble, reminding everyone that this release sits at the intersection of fandom, law, and public sentiment.
Industry Caught In A Tight Spot
Producers and distributors have always walked a tightrope around Darshan. He is a star with a strong fan base and a proven track record at the box office. But he is also a figure who repeatedly finds himself in the centre of controversy. Devil was already shot before his arrest, leaving the makers with a choice. Hold the release and bleed financially or go ahead and let the audience decide for themselves. They chose the latter.
For the Kannada film industry, this becomes yet another chapter in a long-standing debate. Should a film be punished for the actions of its lead actor. Should fans be allowed to separate the star on screen from the man off screen? Or is every ticket sale a statement, intentional or not.
The Audience Will Decide
As Devil plays across Karnataka, one thing is clear. Darshan’s screen pull remains intact, even in a situation where the star cannot speak, cannot promote, and cannot even watch his own film. Whether that pull turns into sustained box office numbers or fades after the first wave will be known in a few days.
But for now, Kannada cinema witnesses a milestone it never thought it would see twice. A Darshan movie releasing while Darshan himself remains behind bars.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 11, 2025, 11:01 IST
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