A film promotion stunt in Bengaluru has landed Kannada actor Sharath Prakash in legal trouble after he reportedly appeared outside a theatre holding a machete to promote his newly released movie “Star.”
The incident occurred outside Chandrodaya Theatre in Bengaluru, where the actor stood in a public area holding the weapon as part of the film’s publicity campaign.
Public stunt raises concern
According to reports, Sharath Prakash posed with the machete in front of the theatre while interacting with people and promoting the film.
The act was carried out in full public view with several moviegoers and pedestrians present. However, the sight of the actor holding a large weapon reportedly caused concern among members of the public.
Some individuals felt the stunt created fear and panic in the area, leading to a complaint being filed with the police.
FIR registered under Arms Act
Following the complaint, Hanumanthanagar Police Station registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the actor.
Police booked Sharath Prakash under provisions of the Arms Act, stating that displaying a dangerous weapon in a public place can create law and order concerns.
Authorities said that such acts, even if done for publicity, cannot be permitted in public spaces without proper permissions.
Theatre owner also named in case
The complaint also alleged that the management of Chandrodaya Theatre supported the promotional activity.
As a result, the owner of the theatre has also been named in the FIR along with the actor.
Police stated that both the actor and the theatre management were involved in allowing the promotional stunt to take place on the street outside the theatre.
Growing concern over risky publicity stunts
The incident has sparked discussion about the growing trend of unconventional film promotions, where attention-grabbing stunts are used to create buzz for movies.
Authorities say such publicity activities can sometimes violate public safety norms and lead to legal consequences.
The Hanumanthanagar police have begun further investigation and legal procedures related to the case.