The actress has alleged that in 2023, during a promotional event in Mumbai, Kumar spiked her drink, filmed her while intoxicated, and later used the footage to blackmail her.
Published Oct 07, 2025 | 10:22 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2025 | 10:22 PM
Hemanth Kumar
Synopsis: Bengalauru police have arrested Kannada actor, director, and producer BI Hemanth Kumar after a television actress and former Bigg Boss Season 11 contestant accused him of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, cheating, and blackmail. The actress alleges that Kumar coerced her into performing obscene scenes, harassed her during film promotions, filmed her while intoxicated, and used the footage to blackmail her.
Bengaluru police have arrested Kannada actor, director, and producer BI Hemanth Kumar following allegations of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, cheating, and blackmail made by a television actress and former Bigg Boss Season 11 contestant.
A case was registered on 4 October under the Information Technology Act 2000 (Sections 67, 66(E)) and the Indian Penal Code (Sections 509, 354(A), 506, 354(D), 504, 420) at Rajajinagar Police Station.
According to the complaint, the actress met Hemanth Kumar in 2022, who introduced himself as a director and producer and offered her the lead role in a film titled Richie.
“He agreed to pay me ₹2 lakh as remuneration and gave me ₹60,000 in advance,” the complaint reads.
The complaint alleges that Kumar delayed filming for various reasons and, during subsequent shoots, pressured the actress to wear revealing clothes and perform obscene scenes. When she objected, he reportedly became abusive and threatening.
When the original contract period expired, it was reportedly renewed with mediation from the Karnataka Film Chamber, after which the actress completed her portions of the film.
Subsequently, the actress alleges that harassment continued during promotional work. “While promoting the movie in Mumbai, he again behaved inappropriately. He insisted I attend other promotional events alone,” the complaint reads.
The complaint further alleges that in 2023, during a promotional event in Mumbai, Kumar spiked her drink, filmed her while intoxicated, and later used the footage to blackmail her. He is also accused of deploying “goons” to follow her and issuing threats against both her and her mother.
Other allegations include issuing a cheque for pending payment that later bounced and posting a copy of their contract containing her phone number on social media.
The actress has alleged that Kumar publicly defamed her, shared her personal information, and violated a civil court interim order barring him from uploading videos.
The complaint also states that Kumar posted uncensored and edited portions of the film on social media without approval from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
According to the actress, several other women have been exploited under similar pretexts of offering film roles.
Investigation is ongoing.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
