5 Key Facts About Kannada Actor Darshan Thoogudeepa

1. Early Life and Background:
Born on February 16, 1977, in Ponnampet, Kodagu district, Karnataka, Darshan Thoogudeepa, originally named Hemanth Kumar, is the son of renowned actor Thoogudeepa Srinivas. His father gained fame from the 1966 Kannada film Thoogudeepa, which is where the family name originates.

2. Career Breakthrough:
Darshan made his mark in the Kannada film industry with his leading role in the 2002 film Majestic. His career skyrocketed with hits like Kariya (2003), Gaja (2008), Saarathi (2011), and Kurukshetra (2019), establishing him as a prominent figure in Kannada cinema.

3. Personal Life:
Darshan married Vijayalakshmi in 2003, and the couple has a son named Vineesh. The actor is also known for his passion for wildlife; he owns a zoo near Malavalli and previously adopted a tiger cub.

4. Controversies:
Despite his on-screen success, Darshan has faced legal issues. In 2011, he was arrested following a domestic violence complaint from his wife and spent 14 days in judicial custody. The issue was later settled out of court. Additional controversies include allegations of assaulting a waiter in 2021 and repeated issues with his wife’s reports of ‘objectionable behavior’.

5. Recent Developments:
In January 2024, Pavithra Gowda stirred controversy by posting a video on Instagram marking “10 years of our relationship,” which suggested a connection with the married actor. This social media revelation added a new dimension to Darshan’s already complex public image.