BANGALORE: Sandalwood industry has a whopping Rs 70 crore at stake with actor Darshan arrested for allegedly assaulting and threatening his wife Vijayalakshmi.
According to industry sources, 'Challenging star' Darshan's eight films are on the floor, of which three are due for release in the next two months. The producers of these films are keeping their fingers crossed because of the impending verdict on his bail plea.
Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna, a historical drama directed by Naganna, is the big budget film of the eight due for immediate release. But Sandalwood sources said the film about the prominent freedom fighter from Karnataka who fought the British as the army chief of the kingdom of Kittur ruled by Kittur Rani Chennamma may be put on hold till the cloud of controversy is cleared. "This film, with an investment of Rs 35-Rs 40 crore, is the costleist film so far in the Kananda film industry,'' sources said.
Darshan and Deepa Sannidhi starrer Sarathy directed by his brother Dinakar Thoogudeepa under Family (Thoogudeepa) Productions may also be delayed besides other forthcoming releases Sarvantharyami, Sihi Muttu and Bulbul, with an investment ranging between Rs 10 crore and Rs 20 crore. Darshan's debut in Tollywood is due in 2012.
His close friends and film producers K Manja and Rakshita sounded sympathetic but skeptical on how much the ugly episode will impact Darshan's image and success of his upcoming films. "I feel Darshan's image will take a mild beating as the women audience may start viewing the actor differently after the ugly episode,'' said Manja.
Darshan's close friend Aditya was optimistic when he said: "I don't think the controversy will harm his career. If a controversy could change career, Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt wouldn't have made it big in Bollywood. Real life and reel life are totally different."
