Kiccha Sudeep on Darshan-Puneeth fan war: Rebellion isn’t always an answer

A few years ago, when Challenging Star Darshan was going through one of the worst phases in his personal life, having spent some time in jail in a domestic abuse case, it was Kiccha Sudeep who lent him a shoulder of support. The two actors were almost inseparable for a while, but soon enough had differences and split. But even though they are not on talking terms, said Sudeep, an incident like the one in Hospet, where an alleged Puneeth Rajkumar fan threw a slipper at Darshan, is hurtful.

“The differences between us isn’t something that will stop me from speaking about what I truly feel. He surely did not deserve this kind of treatment and it disturbed me as well, wrote Sudeep in a long note that he posted on Twitter about the incident and fan wars. He added, “The video I saw was very disturbing. There were many others and the leading lady of the film standing there as well, who were just a part of the event and had nothing to do with the rage that was prevailing at that time. Humiliating them publicly brings about questions as to, are we Kannadigas known for these unjustified reactions. Is this king of an outburst even an option? As far as Darshan is concerned, I agree there may have been a situation that isn’t so pleasant between him and Puneeth fans. But is this the reaction Puneeth himself would have appreciated and supported? An answer to this is something that probably each of his beloved fans known.”

Among many other things, Sudeep also wrote, “Rebelling like this isn’t an answer or a reaction towards any situation. I do understand there will be differences between actors, fans, etc., and I am no one to come in between and speak about that. But I also am someone who was close to both Darshan and Puneeth and keeping the position I held in their lives, I took this liberty to pen down my feelings. Let’s s[red love, respect and get the same in return from all. That’s the only way one can win anyone and any situation.”