Most hurting decision, says Nikitha after being banned

Bangalore, Sep 11 (IANS) What mistake have I committed to endure such a harsh punishment, asks multilingual actress Nikitha, who has been banned by the Kannada Producers' Association (KPA) for three years for allegedly creating trouble in her co-star Darshan's married life.

Darshan's wife Vijayalaksmi filed a police complaint alleging that her actor husband assaulted her and threatened her and their young child with his licenced revolver. The actor was arrested Friday. In her complaint she blamed Nikitha for the problem in her marital life.

Darshan, who is in 14-day judicial custody, was shifted to the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital Saturday morning where he is being treated for various ailments.

Vijaylakshmi, who retracted from her statement, visited him in the hospital Sunday.

"I heard the news about KPA banning me for three years. Just this morning I came to Mumbai from New Delhi after completing a modelling assignment," she told IANS.

"I got a phone call a known media person from Bangalore that a decision has been taken by the association to ban me. I think this has been the most hurting decision. What mistake have I committed to undergo such harsh punishments?"

The actress says the decision has not only spoiled her image, "it will also cast aspersions on my professional and public conduct. The producers have called me to hear my version. I am an artist in the Kannada film industry and I have acted with all top artists. Have they received any complaint about me from any artists or producer."

Nikitha will also speak to Vijayalakshmi and ask her why she mentioned her name in the police complaint.

Soorappa Babu, the Secretary of KPA, told IANS that the ban does not apply to the two incompleted films of Nikitha incluidng "Krantiveera Sangolli Raayanna", in which she is paired with Darshan.

But the incident has put many Kannada film producers in trouble, said Soorappa Babu.

Munirathna, president of KPA, said the decision pertains to the producers association and it does not relate to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

"Since Vijayalakshmi has given a complaint naming the actress responsible for the storm in her marital life, we have taken a decision to ban the actress for three years," he said adding that the association has not spoken to Nikitha in this regard.