Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma on Darshan Thoogudeepa and Pavithra Gowda alleged murder case: Fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome

Ram Gopal Varma

Kannada actor Darshan was taken into custody in connection with an alleged murder case. This incident has sent shockwaves through the film industry. Director Ram Gopal Varma took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the matter. While he did not directly name Darshan, he spoke about the extreme levels of star worship in India and how it can sometimes go too far.

A star using one die hard fan to kill another die hard fan who was interfering in his personal life is a fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome ..Fans wanting to order how their stars should run their lives is a unavoidable side effect of the same syndrome

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) June 13, 2024

Ram Gopal Varma, often known for his outspoken nature, highlighted the irony of the situation where a star allegedly used one die-hard fan to kill another. He commented on how fans can sometimes go to extreme lengths in their admiration for their favorite celebrities, even to the point of committing crimes. Varma stated, “A star using one die-hard fan to kill another die-hard fan who was interfering in his personal life is a fit example of the bizarreness of the star worship syndrome. Fans wanting to order how their stars should run their lives is an unavoidable side effect of the same syndrome.”

While Ram Gopal Varma did not explicitly name Darshan in his tweets, fans quickly connected the dots and deduced that he was referring to the Sandalwood actor. One fan commented, “I think this is about Kannada actor Darshan and Pavitra Gowda's arrest,” while another mentioned, “You are talking about dboss Darshan and Renukaswamy murder incident.”

For those unfamiliar with the case, actors Darshan and Pavitra were arrested by the Bengaluru police on June 11 for the alleged murder of a man named Renukaswamy. Renukaswamy was reportedly a fan of Darshan and had sent abusive texts to Pavitra after she shared on Instagram that she and Darshan had been in a relationship for some time. It is worth noting that Darshan has been married to Vijayalakshmi since 2003.

Upon discovering the abusive messages, Darshan allegedly contacted Raghavendra, who heads his fan club in Chitradurga, and asked him to bring Renukaswamy to Bengaluru. According to police reports, Renukaswamy was then taken to a shed in RR Nagar, where he was assaulted and killed before his body was dumped in a drain near Summanahalli on June 8. His body was found on June 9.

The police have made 15 arrests in connection with this case, including Darshan and Pavitra. Darshan's close aide Nagaraj and co-star Pradosh have also been taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are piecing together the events leading up to the murder.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President N.M. Suresh stated that a decision regarding taking action against Darshan will be made after discussions with the artists' union. He indicated that any action would most likely be taken only after the police file a charge-sheet in the case.

The Darshan-Pavitra murder case has brought to light the darker side of fandom and celebrity culture. Ram Gopal Varma’s remarks on the “star worship syndrome” resonate deeply in this context. The case is a grim reminder of how admiration for celebrities can sometimes take a dangerous turn, leading to actions that are both extreme and tragic.

As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge. Meanwhile, the film industry and fans alike are left to grapple with the shocking nature of the incident and its implications for the broader culture of celebrity worship. The Darshan case serves as a poignant example of the need for a more balanced and healthy admiration of public figures, steering clear of the extremes that can lead to such devastating outcomes.