Bengaluru Director Arrested for Sexually Harassing Actress

On October 7th, 2025, Bengaluru police arrested filmmaker Hemanth following a complaint filed by a reality show winner and actress accusing him of sexual harassment. According to the complaint, Hemanth approached the actress in 2022, promising her the lead role in a film titled 'Richie'. An agreement was signed, and she received an advance payment, but the shooting was repeatedly delayed, leading to her dissatisfaction.

The actress has alleged that during the course of film production, "Hemanth forced her to wear revealing outfits, perform obscene scenes, and even touched her inappropriately." She further stated that these actions made her uncomfortable, and the situation became increasingly difficult to handle as the project moved forward. The complaint also mentions that she was harassed during a promotional trip to Mumbai.

According to the complaint, "When she resisted, Hemanth allegedly threatened her by sending rowdies." The police have recorded that such threats created a sense of fear for the complainant's safety and well-being. In addition to harassment allegations, the actress claimed financial misconduct and unauthorized use of her images.

Following the complaint, Rajajinagar police arrested Hemanth and produced him before the court. The court has remanded him to judicial custody as the investigation progresses. Police officials stated that all allegations are being investigated in accordance with legal procedures, and further action will be based on evidence collected during the enquiry.