The Telugu film industry has been rocked by the arrest of actor Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, known for his role as Keshava, Pushpa Raj’s loyal friend in the blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise. His arrest has caused a stir due to its connection with a tragic incident – the suicide of a junior artiste.
On December 6, Bandari was arrested by the Hyderabad police following allegations of harassment leading to the junior artiste’s suicide. The police case, registered at Panjagutta police station, accuses Bandari of taking unauthorized pictures of the artiste and threatening to post them on social media. This harassment is alleged to have deeply affected the junior artiste, culminating in her suicide on November 29.
Reports suggest that Bandari was in a live-in relationship with the junior artiste and had taken photos of her in a compromising situation without consent. Despite parting ways years ago to focus on their respective careers, Bandari allegedly continued to contact her and shared private photos, attempting to emotionally blackmail her. Following her father’s complaint, the police filed a case under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) against Bandari.
The Tollywood community has reacted with shock and concern to this news. Bandari, who made his debut in the industry with the critically acclaimed Mallesham in 2019, was presently shooting for Pushpa: The Rule. He also had upcoming projects like Chivaraku Migiledhi and Pickpocket 2: The Murder Plan in the pipeline. The industry is now left wondering about the implications of this arrest on these projects, particularly the much-anticipated Pushpa 2.
This incident has opened a broader conversation about the responsibilities and conduct of individuals in the film industry. With the hearing scheduled, the industry and its followers are waiting to see how this case unfolds and what it means for the future of all involved.
