It was a grand homecoming for actor Darshan Toogudeepa on Friday night with hundreds of fans congregating at his house in Rajarajeshwarinagar. However, it didn't take long for the celebrations to go out of control and for the police to use their batons on the mob.
Two cars were damaged in the frenzy, while reports suggest stones were thrown on the media vans present there.
Police estimated around 600 fans, mostly from Mandya where the actor has a strong following, came to his house on BBMP Road, Rajarajeshwarinagar around 7.30 p.m. “We anticipated crowds and deployed around 30 men there,” said a source in Rajarajeshwarinagar Police Station. As soon as the actor arrived at around 8.45 p.m., the crowds went berserk with wild dancing and firecrackers. When they destroyed flowerpots, and trespassed on neighbours' property, the police caned them to contain the situation.
No injuries were reported and no complaint was filed.
On arriving in Rajarajeshwarinagar, Darshan went to a nearby temple where he conducted a puja before heading to his residence. There he reunited with his young son and wife Vijaylakshmi — on whose complaint charges of attempt to murder were filed against the actor. All seemed like water under the bridge as the family cut cakes and celebrated the actor's release from prison.