Challenging Star Darshan extends olive branch; apologizes to media two years after viral audio clip

The lack of media support during the release of Kranti had affected the film's prospects

Challenging Star Darshan Thoogudeepa

Late last year, when Challenging Star Darshan began promoting his then upcoming film Kranti , he did not have the support of a lot of mainstream media publications and did all the publicity campaigns with social media influencers. The star is said to have done at least 100-150 interviews with various YouTube channels, but none of that helped, as the film, directed by V Harikrishna, was rather mediocre.

Read also: Kranti review: Darshan tries valiantly to salvage Harikrishna’s uninspiring film, but the script fails him and how!

But with his next film Kaatera lined up for a year-end release, its producer Rockline Venkatesh realized that this impasse with the media could not be allowed to continue. He initiated mediation between Darshan and senior members of the media and a truce is said to have been struck. As a follow up to that, on the occasion of the Varmahalakshmi festival, Darshan took to social media to address the viral audio clip in which he was heard using the choicest expletives about the media and showing scant respect for journalists. The clip, he said, was a response to a particular person, but once leaked, seemed like it was directed at the journalistic community at large.

Darshan then proceeded to say that he thinks it is time to bury the hatchet and extended a heartfelt apology to the media, adding that he recognizes the invaluable support he has received over the years, which has been immensely helpful in his growth in the industry. He hoped that they could all now forgive and forget and move forward.

Read also: Kranti: Mera kutta mera galli mein sher hai, says Darshan; will not promote film anywhere but Karnataka

Darshan is currently working on his second film with director Tharun Sudhir, Kaatera, a film set in the 70s, that is apparently based on a true story. The film marks the launch of veteran actress Malashree’s daughter Araadhana as the leading lady. While it was earlier reported that the actor had lined up another film with team Kranti immediately after, we now hear that he has shaken up his filmography and will instead do one project each with Tarak maker Prakash and Kariya maker Prem.

Read also: Films with Milana Prakash and Prem; Challenging Star Darshan mixes up his upcoming slate

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