Gruesome murder of actor Darshan's fan: Who is Pavithra Gowda?

Pavithra Gowda recently came into public focus following her arrest along with Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and 11 others for the murder of a man in Bengaluru over lewd comments made on Instagram.

Despite not being a prominent figure in the film fraternity, Gowda was closely associated with actor Darshan and reportedly had a decade-long relationship with him. Police suspect that she is the mastermind behind the murder of Renukaswamy, a Darshan fan who expressed disdain towards the actor's association with Gowda.

But who is Pavithra Gowda?

According to reports, Gowda operates a boutique in Bengaluru and is a fashion model. She made her film debut in 2016 and went on to do a couple of films. Despite appearing in films such as 'Preethi Kithabu' and 'Agamya', her acting career failed to gain significant traction or attention at the box office.

Even before she made her debut, Gowda is said to have met actor Darshan. Their relationship, initially kept under wraps, gradually came to light around 2017, triggering controversy within Darshan's fan base.

While some fans supported her, others remained loyal to Darshan's estranged wife, Vijayalakshmi, who openly expressed her disapproval of Gowda. The situation escalated in 2011 when Darshan faced accusations of assaulting Vijayalakshmi, leading to his imprisonment. Despite issuing an apology, reports suggested that his relationship with Vijayalakshmi remained strained.

Despite attempts to maintain privacy, social media posts from both parties sparked public scrutiny and intensified the ongoing feud. Gowda caused a stir recently when she shared a video on social media showing pictures of herself and Darshan, celebrating what she described as "10 years of our relationship." In response, Vijayalakshmi posted several photos of Gowda's husband and criticised the actress. 

In light of recent events, Pavithra Gowda's alleged role in the murder case has sent shockwaves through the Kannada film industry, raising questions about the intersection of personal relationships and professional ramifications within the entertainment sphere.