Immediately after the scene created by actor Darshan in the upscale Prestige South Ridge on Wednesday, the residents held a late-night extraordinary general meeting and decided to evict his wife, Vijayalakshmi, a tenant there.
But by dawn, there was divine intervention of sorts and the residents decided to throw a protective ring around her.
Vijayalakshmi conducts Vishnusahasranama and Lalitasahasranama -- both popular stotra (hymn) chantings in Hinduism -- within the gated complex. By Thursday morning, when more women residents got involved in the aftermath, the tide turned in favour of Darshan's wife. Soon, neighbours and community members of South Ridge came out in support of Vijayalakshmi, who was at the receiving end of estranged actor-husband Darshan's violent outburst on Wednesday night.
After a police team arrived at the scene to take Vijayalakshmi's statement, e-mails and SMSes were sent to residents that an extraordinary general body meeting had been called the same night. Darshan's alleged ruckus had not gone down well with the other residents of the posh complex and the meeting decided to ask Vijayalakshmi to move out.
Vijayalakshmi, along with her son, has been living in apartment 4134 on the 13th floor which she rented two years ago. There are 300 apartments in the five-tower complex. Sources said monthly rent for the apartment was Rs 45,000 and monthly maintenance between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000. "She is known for conducting Vishnusahasranama and Lalitasahasranama and even knows them by heart," an insider said.
Wife, guard file complaints
Two separate complaints were filed against Sandalwood actor Darshan on Wednesday night. While his wife Vijayalakshmi filed one complaint, the other was filed by the security guard of her apartment complex.
Ever since Darshan learnt about the complaints against him at Channammanakere Acchakattu police station, he has switched off all his phones and become unavailable for police inquiry.
According to the complaint filed by Vijaylakshmi, around 7 pm on Wednesday Darshan along with his bodyguards went to her apartment at Hoskerehalli. The security guard named Devaraj stopped him saying he had been directed by Vijaylakshmi not to allow him inside. Devaraj, in his complaint, has stated that when he stopped Darshan and his guards, the actor got into an argument with him and punched him in the stomach. Darshan then allegedly proceeded to barge into the apartment complex where he created a ruckus. He left after realising Vijaylakshmi was not there.
Vijaylakshmi, who learnt about the incident, rushed to the police station with Devraj. "She has stated in her complaint that Darshan often visits the apartment often and harasses her. She has asked us to call him to the station and warn him," said deputy commissioner of police (South) BS Lokesh Kumar, adding they tried to contact Darshan, but his phone was switched off.
PROPERTIES HOLDING UP DIVORCE?
Darshan's marital problems came out in the open in 2011, when he was arrested for assaulting his wife and spent 14 days in custody. Soon after his release, the couple arrived at a compromise and all seemed well on the surface. But reports of an imminent divorce kept surfacing. For the past two years, Vijayalakshmi has been living separately with her son.
A divorce settlement would have put an end to the recurring spats between the couple, but the question of who gets the properties has held up divorce proceedings, sources say. The majority of immovable properties purchased by Darshan in over a decade before 2011 are in Vijayalakshmi's name, insiders say. These are said to include two sites in HSR Layout, a commercial complex in Rajajinagar, a house in Nagarbhavi and a 15-acre farmhouse near Mysuru. The only immovable property in Darshan's name is said to be a house in Rajarajeshwarinagar. The actor's film business interests like the film unit and house in Mysuru are said to be in the name of his mother and brother. With most properties in Vijayalakshmi's name, it is obvious she will have the upper hand in any divorce settlement. Sources said negotiations have been on between the feuding couple for the past two years to arrive at a settlement, but nothing has come of it yet.
Sandalwood power not backing him
It seems that the Karnataka film industry has learnt from its past deeds. In 2011, despite spending his 14 days in police custody, the industry had rallied behind Darshan. It was even declared that "he could have made a mistake, but still deserved a chance."
But this time, the film industry seems to have backed out from the ugly family spat between Darshan and his wife Vijayalakshmi. Though there is no charge of physical assault against him, no one came to his support. In fact, some of the important film personalities have openly denounced Darshan for his behaviour.
"This is not the way we expect him (Darshan) to behave," said Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president Sa Ra Govindu to a news channel on Wednesday.
A well-known producer, on condition of anonymity, said, "I was asked by five channels to take part in a discussion on the issue. I refused. Sa Ra Govindu is a close friend of Darshan's family and was friends with his father too. He can even reprimand Darshan openly. But when things have gone so personal that the actor is blaming his wife's 'boyfriend' no one wants to get in the middle of it. Last time when there was a crisis in their relationship, there were hopes that it could be settled. This time, even the film industry friends know it is the endgame and do not want to be seen trying to meddle in a lost cause."
In fact, many said that the allegation of Vijayalakshmi having an 'illicit affair' is a 'put off' for the industry to show solidarity. The actor has alleged that his wife gifted a car, which was given to her by Darshan, to her boyfriend. Vijayalakshmi has denied all the allegations. The rumours say that the 'boyfriend' was the son of another film personality and hence the fraternity is maintaining a distance.
Even Ambareesh, a mentor of Darshan who unconditionally supported the actor earlier, said very little about the issue this time. When reporters asked him about the issue, he said Darshan would call to discuss the issue.
2011 Was Different
In September 2011, Vijayalakshmi accused Darshan of physical violence. The allegations included "burning her with a lighted cigarette and breaking an arm". Darshan was alleged to have "threatened her with a gun and pulled her ear-ring resulting in a tear". All this happened in a moving car with Darshan allegedly demanding that she transfer all the properties he had made in her name back to his name. The complaint resulted in Darshan being arrested. But finally, he and Vijayalakshmi arrived at a compromise.
But there was support. The Kannada Film Producers Association went as far as to ban actress Nikitha Thukral, who was believed to be the 'other woman' in the issue. "The first time, there was sympathy. There will be no sympathy this time. No one will even offer their good offices," another producer said on condition of anonymity.
