Imparting some free 'advice' proved costly for a Kannada film director yesterday. The youth, who were the recipients of the advice, did not take to it too kindly. They beat the director's brother up and vandalised his car. At the time of going to the press, the director had still not lodged a police complaint against the youth.


Car-naama: One of the cars that bore the brunt of the group's fury.
Pic/Manjunath L Hanji

The incident occurred in the vicinity of the house of Madesh, the director of Ram, starring Punith Raj Kumar.
Around 9 pm, seven youth were allegedly chattering loudly. Madesh and his brother, Praveen, on hearing the ruckus, came out and told the boys to go home and sleep.

According to Madesh, the youth got into an altercation with them and left soon after. "However, they returned armed and started shouting out my name. When they couldn't find me, they vandalised two cars parked in the area. Praveen went out to check what the commotion was, but he was beaten up by the boys," he said.

Praveen has been admitted to Columbia Asia Hospital and is out of danger. Meanwhile, the police arrived at the spot and were keeping a watch.

One of the vandalised cars belongs to a doctor who lives nearby. "I don't know who the accused are. I didn't dare go outside, as my family members were scared. I will lodge a complaint today," said Harish Babu.

The reason behind the incident is not clear yet, however, Madesh's neighbours claim that it was perhaps due to an old rivalry between Praveen and the youth.

The police said that they had not yet received a complaint and were trying to keep the situation under control.