In the wake of the release of the Kannada blockbuster ‘The Villain’, its director Prem has received nine videos attacking him and his family. He has registered a complaint at the Upparpet police station. “I can understand if they talk about the film but I can’t tolerate personal attacks,” he says.
The videos were released on social media two days after the release of my film,” he told Metrolife. Two of nine have spoken in language that is so foul and abusive that Prem says he can’t even repeat what they said.
“Only people with a criminal bent of mind can think of saying such things,” he says. Prem says he will make sure all nine people are pushed behind bars. “It looks like all the people who have spoken in the videos have been instigated to do so,” he says.
The videos last five to ten minutes each. Ravi D Channannavar, DCP (West), says the case may be handed over to the cyber crime police station. “The offenders won’t go scot-free,” he told Metrolife.
Legal action
S Guru Prasanna, advocate, says, “Criminal and civil action can be taken against defamation. Criminal charges under Section 499 and 500 IPC and civil action for loss of reputation can be pressed. If the videos are shared on a public forum, an injunction can be sought against posting and disseminating the videos.
‘Why didn’t they think?’
Prem suspects the hand of some rivals in the case. He says those who sent the videos should have thought hard before sending them. “They don’t seem to have used their wisdom and judgment here. They have blindly followed instructions and executed them,” he says. He says the offence is non-bailable, and jail awaits all those who sent him the filthy videos.