TV actor Thandav Ram arrested for firing at director over film dispute

Bengaluru witnessed high drama on Monday when television actor Tandasvhwara, popularly known as Thandav Ram, was arrested for allegedly opening fire at director Bharath Navunda. The incident occurred at a producer's office during an argument over a stalled film project. Thandav Ram reportedly used his licensed firearm in the altercation, but the bullet missed its mark and struck a wall.

The dispute centers around a Kannada-Telugu film titled Devanampriya, for which Thandav Ram was to play the lead role. The actor had invested ₹6 lakh into the project, directed by Bharath Navunda. While the film had been under production for two years, shooting recently came to a halt, prompting Thandav Ram to demand a refund of his investment.

What began as a discussion between the actor and director soon escalated into a heated argument. Frustrated, Thandav Ram allegedly fired at Mr. Navunda. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident. The police were called to the scene, and the actor was taken into custody.

Thandav Ram has been booked under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the offence of attempted murder. Investigators are also reviewing the status of the stalled project to understand the financial dispute.

Thandav Ram is known for his roles in Kannada television serials like Jodi Hakki and Bhoomige Bandha Bhagavantha. The incident has shocked his fans and industry colleagues, many of whom expressed disbelief over the actor’s alleged actions.

Meanwhile, Bharath Navunda, who directed Mugilpete, has not issued a public statement but is reportedly cooperating with the investigation. The case highlights ongoing tensions in the Kannada film industry, where financial disputes often lead to controversies.