Actor Darshan's Middle Finger Gesture Sparks Social Media Outrage

Ballari: Family members and legal counsel of actor Darshan visited him at Ballari prison on Thursday, but what grabbed the attention of social media was not the meeting itself, but a viral video showing the actor allegedly making an obscene gesture.

Several media outlets, including electronic and social platforms, shared footage of Darshan supposedly flashing his middle finger as he walked out of his cell.

Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi, his brother Dinakar, and two lawyers visited the prison in the morning. The family was allotted 30 minutes to meet him. Amidst this Darshan had to attend a video conference related to the case. The lawyers were granted time later in the evening, during which they discussed the chargesheet filed last week for about half an hour.

As media personnel recorded Darshan's walk between his cell and the visitors’ area, the alleged gesture caught the eye of the cameras, quickly going viral on social media.

While several posts on social media were in support of Darshan, many were against him.

Meanwhile, Vijayalakshmi reportedly handed over dry fruits and bakery items to Darshan during the visit.

Darshan has been in judicial custody for over two months, facing charges in connection with the murder of Renukaswami. Initially held at Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara prison, he was transferred to Ballari prison on August 29 after a controversy erupted.

The controversy began when a photo of Darshan drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette, and a clipping of him making a video call from prison went viral. This led authorities to initiate transfers of those involved in the case, with Darshan being sent to Ballari prison.