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Filmmaker Hemanth arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly sexually harassing actress

Actor, director, and producer Hemanth has been arrested by Bengaluru police after a reality show winner and actress filed a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment.

October 07, 2025 / 13:16 IST
Hemanth

Bengaluru police have arrested actor, director, and producer Hemanth following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a reality show winner and fellow actor. The arrest was carried out by the Rajajinagar police after an investigation into serious allegations of exploitation under the pretext of a film offer.

According to the police report, the complainant stated that Hemanth approached her in 2022 with an offer to play the lead role in a film titled Richie. An agreement was signed for a remuneration of Rs 2 lakh, of which she received Rs 60,000 as an advance. However, the project faced repeated delays, and the actor began expressing concerns over the filmmaker’s behavior and the nature of their interactions.

The complaint alleges that during the course of production, “Hemanth forced her to wear revealing clothes, perform obscene scenes, and even touched her inappropriately.” The actor claimed she repeatedly objected to such behavior, but her resistance was met with threats. “When she resisted, Hemanth allegedly sent rowdies to intimidate her,” the complaint reads. Police sources confirmed that the threats contributed to the escalation of the case, prompting the complainant to approach law enforcement formally.

The allegations extend beyond harassment. The actor also accused Hemanth of financial fraud and misuse of her images. She stated that he issued a cheque that later bounced and uploaded uncensored scenes from the film on social media platforms without her consent. These actions, she said, caused both emotional distress and reputational harm.

Further, the complaint mentions that she faced harassment during a promotional trip to Mumbai. “The inappropriate conduct continued even outside Karnataka,” the police report notes. Investigators believe this pattern of behavior supports the actor’s broader claims of sustained exploitation.

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Following the formal complaint, Rajajinagar police arrested Hemanth and presented him before the court. He has been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues. Officials confirmed that all allegations are being examined and evidence collected from both parties will determine the next steps.

Police sources added that statements from the complainant and others involved in the film’s production will be recorded in the coming days. The case has reignited conversations within the Kannada film industry about workplace safety, consent, and accountability for those in positions of power.

first published: Oct 7, 2025 12:49 pm

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