Trouble for Challenging Star Darshan after unsavory comment against Umapathy Srinivas Gowda

Kannada superstar Darshan Thoogudeepa and producer Umapathy Srinivas Gowda, who were close pals at one point, have been at loggerheads for a while. While an attempt-to-cheat by a bunch of miscreants, using forged documents of Darshan’s properties, is said to be at the centre of their dispute, it has never been proven if Umapathy had anything to do with the case.

Earlier this week, during the 50-day celebration of Kaatera, Darshan used the public forum to launch a tirade against Umapathy, without naming him, referring to him in third person over an issue about the film’s title. Umapathy had earlier claimed the title was his and that he had registered it, among others, which Darshan refuted with ‘proof’. Darshan had come up with the title, no doubt, but it was Umapathy who registered it at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and alter handed it over to someone else.

Darshan takes dig at Umapathy Srinivas over Kaatera title 

While this verbal duel continues between the actor and the Roberrt producer, what has irked a section of society is the language that Darshan used in talking about the ‘issue’. Calling Umapathy ‘tagade’, which literally means a scrap piece of metal, and is slang for something worthless, Darshan listed the chain of events according to him, aided by testimonies by Madhagaja director Mahesh Kumar and Kaatera maker Tharun Kishore Sudhir.

Several netizens have already pointed out that referring to Umapathy as tagade was totally uncalled for, which he followed up with some more unparliamentary language, but if Darshan’s earlier outbursts are anything to go by, it is surprising that he did not use worse expletives at the event. Members of the Karnataka Prajapara Vedike have filed a complaint against the actor at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for his use of words against Umapathy and demanded that he tender an apology.

Kaatera director Tharun Sudhir explains the chain of events in the title controversy of the Darshan starrer 

Darshan’s outburst was triggered by a seemingly harmless comment by Umapathy during the promotions of Upadhyaksha, during which he said he was aware of Kaatera’s story, as he held the title and was involved in the initial story development as well. Umapathy’s statement that he gave the title referred to him transferring the rights, but Darshan interpreted it as the filmmaker staking claim to its origin. Darshan had come up with the film’s title.

And therein lies the problem that continues to snowball. Since Darshan’s public remarks, Umapathy and director Tharun Sudhir have come on record with their version of events, and it is clear from all of them that the Roberrt producer was involved in Kaatera initially. Then why is Darshan getting so worked up?