I'll never drink and drive again, says actor

Nikhil Siddharth reportedly tells police that he repents his action

Hyderabad city police commissioner A.K.Khan (left) , Deputy commissioner (Traffic) C.V.Anand (right) and film actor Nikhil Sidharth to create awareness to the public about drunken drive in Hyderabad on Monday. Photo G. Krishnaswamy

After paying Rs. 2,000 as fine following his detention by the police for driving a car under the influence of alcohol, budding Telugu film actor Nikhil Siddharth on Monday vowed not to drive after consuming liquor.

“I will persuade my friends and others not to do so because we're endangering the lives of others by driving after taking alcohol,” the actor said. Siddharth was caught by the traffic police driving after consuming alcohol, near the NTR Trust building in Banjara Hills. He appeared in court on Monday and got his car released after paying the fine imposed by the magistrate.

Licence suspended

Along with others, the actor's driving licence too was suspended for two months. The actor, who reportedly repented his action, told the police that he would not shy away from telling people that it was wrong to drink and drive and campaign for the drive against drunken driving.

He attended a meeting at the Traffic Police Complex in the evening and vowed in the presence of city police top brass, including Commissioner A.K. Khan, that the mistake wouldn't recur.

Clad in a pair of jeans and full-sleeved black shirt, the film star known for his role in the Telugu film, ‘Happy Days', didn't hesitate to own up the driving rule violation. “Actually, I am a teetotaller, but took two small pegs of champagne at a party organised to mark the release of my new film,” said the smiling actor.

Even that was a mistake and such acts would not be repeated, he said, thanking the media ‘for the publicity' by widely covering his rule violation. Congratulating traffic police chief, C.V. Anand, and his team for the drive against drunken driving, Mr. Khan said advisory boards should be kept in pubs and bars.

During the two spells of the special drive held during weekends over the past 10 days, 345 vehicles -- 64 cars, 278 two-wheelers and three autorickshaws -- were detained. Nearly 75 per cent of the tipsy drivers caught by the police were in the age group of 20-35 years, 20 per cent in 35-45 age group and the remaining above 45 years of age.