Kannada film controversies of 2011

The year 2011 has been a mixed bag for the Kannada film industry. Like every year, the stars not only entertained the audience with their films but also with some controversies, which garnered the nation's attention. Here, we are bringing you the most controversial stories of the year.

The first shocking news of the year arrived in the form of flesh trade. Actress Yamuna was arrested for her alleged involvement in a prostitution racket. She was caught red handed by the cops with eight other members at a popular star hotel in Bangalore. Later, the police unearthed a nationwide prostitution racket.

Controversy"s favourite child Ramya, like before, failed to keep herself out of troubles. It all begun after Ramya refused to attend the audio release of Dhandam Dhashagunam vowing financial differences with producer A Ganesh. The issue intensified when Ganesh took the issue to the Producers' Association and the KFCC. They imposed one year ban before Ambareesh intervened to resolve the issue.

Gun hero and director Harish Raj attempted to commit suicide by stabbing himself and jumping from the top of Santosh theatre when the owner of the theatre, Arun Kumar, decided to stop the screening his film. But his director's drama ended with his arrest by the Upparpeth Police.

Director Hiriyur Raghavendra, who was directing Kannada TV serial 'Karthika Deepa", attempted to commit suicide in front of the media. He held the artistes pressure for payment responsible for it. However, he was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital by the PROs and the media men.

Yet another prostitution racket was curb down by the cops in the month of June. This time, television stars of Rangoli, Kunkum Bhagya fame, Suma and Lakshmi were the latest victims to the police campaign against the flesh trade. The small screen actresses were caught red handed at a lodge in West of Cord road in Bangalore.

Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa drew the nation's attention after his infamous assault on his wife Vijayalakshmi. The Challenging star was arrested and granted bail after a month. The couple reconciled their differences and later admitted their mistake before the public. However, actress Nikita was banned in between by the producers guild for her alleged affair with the actor claiming that she was the cause for the troubles in Darshan's family but it was lifted immediately after getting criticised from various corners.

Just when the people were recovering from Darshan episode, another Kannada actor Prasanth of Orata I Love You fame was accused of beating up his wife Shashirekha. His wife accused him of having illicit relationship with another woman, with whom he was in a live-in relation.

Small-time actress Sowmya of Huduga Hudugi fame was brutally assaulted by an ex-police constable and her boyfriend Anil Kumar alias Rahul in November. Her beau stabbed Sowmya with a knife after he saw her chatting with two male friends. She suffered injuries on neck, right hand, stomach and abdomen.