Actor-Director Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Harassing Actress Under the Pretext of a Film Role

A disturbing case of abuse of power in the entertainment industry has surfaced from Bengaluru, where well-known actor-director BI Hemant Kumar has been arrested following serious allegations by a television actress. She claims he lured her into a film project with promises of a lead role, only to subject her to repeated harassment and intimidation. The case has sparked outrage within the industry and raised urgent questions about safety, consent, and accountability in film production environments. Here’s how the situation unfolded and where the case stands now.

Film Offer Turns Into a Trap

The complaint states that in 2022, Hemant Kumar approached the actress with a lead role in a film titled 3, backed by a signed agreement promising ₹2 lakh, of which ₹60,000 was paid as an advance. What started as a professional opportunity quickly became distressing. She says Hemant kept delaying the shoot while pushing her to agree to revealing costumes and explicit scenes. When she refused, his behavior turned threatening, creating a hostile and unsafe work environment.

Allegations of On-Set Misconduct and Threats

Despite initial resistance, the actress completed her portions of the film after intervention from the Film Chamber . However, she alleges that Hemant’s harassment continued on set. He is accused of misbehaving with her during filming and escalating threats when she did not comply with his demands. The complaint paints a picture of a deeply exploitative situation, where professional boundaries were repeatedly crossed, and intimidation tactics were used to gain control.

Blackmail and Alleged Drugging at a Promotional Event

The situation worsened in 2023 during a promotional event in Mumbai. According to the complaint, Hemant allegedly spiked her drink, filmed her in an inebriated state, and later used the footage to blackmail her. When she resisted, he reportedly sent men to stalk her and even issued life threats to both her and her mother. These serious accusations moved the case from harassment to criminal intimidation, prompting her to take legal action.

Online Defamation and Violation of Court Orders

In addition to physical and verbal threats, Hemant is also accused of misusing film content online. The actress says he posted edited and uncensored clips from the film on social media without Censor Board approval. He allegedly shared her personal details and made defamatory posts despite a court order forbidding him from uploading such material. The actress had obtained an interim injunction from the Bengaluru City Civil Court, but Hemant allegedly ignored the ruling and continued to harass her online.

Arrest and Ongoing Investigation

Following the serious nature of the allegations, Rajajinagar Police acted on the complaint and took Hemant Kumar into custody. He has now been remanded to judicial detention as investigations continue. Police sources confirmed that they are verifying all digital evidence and testimonies related to the case. The incident has reignited conversations around women’s safety in the entertainment industry and how powerful figures often go unchecked until victims take legal action.