Indian producers ban actress for alleged affair with costar

A southern Indian film producers’ association has banned an actress from appearing in their members’ films for three years because, it alleges, she had an affair with one of their biggest stars.

The Kannada Film Producers' Association said that actress Nikhita Thukral disturbed the "domestic harmony of a fellow actor,” Darshan, who was arrested on charges of domestic violence last week. His wife, Vijaylakshmi, accused him of beating her and threatening her with a gun during an argument that was reportedly over the alleged affair with Thukral, the BBC reports.

"If Nikhita [Thukral] apologizes for her behavior and says she will just work in films and not get involved in domestic affairs of fellow actors, we will withdraw the ban," association president Munirathnam told the BBC. He added that it was the first time any actress had been banned.

Thukral denied that she and Darshan were romantically involved. "There's nothing between us beyond a professional relationship,” she told the press, according to the BBC.

Thukral and Darshan had been filming one of the most expensive movies ever made in the Kannada language, “Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna,” which tells the story of Sangolli Rayanna, a freedom fighter who fought the British in the early 19th century. The producers’ association said Thukral would be allowed to complete her work on that film.

Several producers and actors have criticized the producers’ association’s move. Actor Girish Karnad told India Today, "This is madness! Pure male chauvinism. Why should she be punished if he is guilty? This is absurd. Everyone has affairs. Is everybody going to be held responsible?"

Darshan has not been banned from making Kannada films. He’s been in judicial custody since Sept. 9, although his wife Vijaylakshmi later retracted her statement, saying she sustained injuries due to a fall in the bathroom, CNN-IBN reports. Darshan suffered an asthma attack on his first night in jail and insisted on being treated in a non-prison hospital, where he has been recuperating since. On Tuesday, a court denied his request to be released on bail.