The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is in a state of denial about drug abuse by some in the Kannada film industry, even after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted an international drug racket and arrested three drug dealers, who allegedly supplied drugs to some prominent actors, musicians and children of VIPs in Karnataka. The industry is shaken especially after Kannada film producer Indrajit Lankesh alleged that some actors in the Kannada film industry had links with drug peddlers.
Indrajit also deposed before the Central Crime Bureau, which is investigating the case, to share information about the drug peddling in the rave parties and drug abuse by actors and other celebrities. “I have shared the names of actors and actresses and some documents about the drug links,” said Lankesh, son of renowned editor late P. Lankesh and younger brother of slain activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh.
“The police are probing into the allegations. If some people are proven guilty of having drug links, the chamber will initiate action against them. While, we might not ban them, we will definitely resort to non-cooperation. On the other hand, if Indrajit Lankesh’s statements are found to be false, we will take action against him too,” said D.R. Jayaraj, president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), during a press meet held in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
“Indrajit’s allegations were a revelation to us. We were shocked to hear the drug links in the industry. We have not come across anybody indulging in drugs. This industry has a history of 75 years and the legacy of legends like Dr Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan. We don’t think some people who have acted in one or two films can define Sandalwood,” said Sa. Ra. Govind, former chief of KFCC.
“I am hurt that the name of a person who is no more (Chiranjeevi Sarja) was raked up. It has caused immense pain to his wife and to all of us. We have always revered the industry as a gurukula and the entire industry is labelled as ‘Ganja nagara’ for the fault of a few people now. Thousands of honest artistes are waiting for the film industry to reopen after the Covid lockdown. We have no income for the last six months. Now, this shocking development,” rued veteran actor Doddanna.
Indrajit had alleged that some newbies in the industry had suddenly started leading lavish lives. “The old timers and senior artistes are in no way involved in all this. But I have information about the rave parties in farm houses, where newbies are consuming drugs and also peddling it. They start moving around in Audi and Jaguars, though they are only a couple of movies old in the industry. Some have turned up at the movie sets in intoxicated state. The young actors and actresses are indulging in it,” alleged Lankesh.
It may be recalled that the NCB had busted an international drug racket in Bengaluru and arrested three drug dealers—the kingpin D. Anika and two accomplices R. Ravindran and Mohammad Anoop on August 21. The NCB raided a residence in Kalyan Nagar, and seized 145 MDMA pills weighing 60 gm and cash of Rs 2,20,500. MDMA—Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine—commonly known as ecstasy, is a party drug and alters the mood. It is priced Rs 1,500-2,000 per pill.
The team also seized 96 pills of MDMA and 180 LSD blots at Nikoo Homes and 270 MDMA pills from the house of the accused Anika at Doddagubbi.
Home minister Basavaraj Bommai has acknowledged that there is a drug menace in the state. “We have declared a war against drugs and ordered the CCB police to probe the alleged link between the Kannada film industry and the drug peddlers,” said Bommai, adding that the drug mafia used the darknet, which made it difficult to track them.
“Darknet is being used for other illegal activities like child pornography, prostitution, international arms and related transaction,” said the minister.
