Eleven people, including a woman actor and social media influencer, have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and brutally assaulting Kannada film director T A Anish in a case that has shocked the film industry. Police said the crime stemmed from a financial dispute related to his upcoming movie “Jeevanada Bhashe,” which is yet to be released.
According to investigators, Anish had disagreements with one of the film’s investors and an associate over money matters. Around two months ago, he shifted from Bengaluru to Mumbai. During this period, he informed a female actor friend living in Indiranagar that he planned to sell his car. Police believe the accused learned about this through the actress and contacted him, offering to help find a buyer.
On February 9, the director was persuaded to return to Bengaluru to finalize the supposed sale. He was asked to meet at a location under the jurisdiction of Adugodi police station. That night, the accused allegedly forced him into a car and abducted him.
Police said he was taken to a house in the Byadarahalli area, where he was illegally confined. There, five to six individuals allegedly attacked him with cricket stumps and hockey sticks. The assailants reportedly robbed him of the gold ornaments he was wearing and ₹30,000 in cash.
The ordeal continued as the kidnappers drove him to Mandaragiri Hill in Tumakuru district. Two more people allegedly joined the group at the remote hill location, where Anish was assaulted again before being released.
The case surfaced after the director filed a complaint at Adugodi police station on February 11. Acting on the complaint, police launched an intensive investigation and arrested eleven suspects, including an actress identified as Aishwarya, who is also known as a social media influencer.
Authorities said they recovered six mobile phones used during the crime, the car involved in the kidnapping, gold ornaments, and cash believed to be linked to the robbery. All accused were produced before a court and remanded to custody, while further investigation continues to determine whether others were involved and to uncover the full motive behind the attack.
The incident has raised serious concerns within the Kannada film fraternity, highlighting how financial conflicts in film projects can spiral into dangerous situations. Police officials stated that they are examining all angles, including the possibility of premeditation and additional conspirators.
Summary — Key Highlights:
Eleven people, including an actress, were arrested for kidnapping and assaulting director T A Anish; the crime was linked to a financial dispute over an unreleased film; the victim was lured from Mumbai to Bengaluru under the pretext of selling his car; he was beaten, robbed, and taken to a remote hill area; police recovered phones, ornaments, cash, and the vehicle used; investigation is ongoing.