Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah’s film journey started in 2016 with the blockbuster hit Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. He has produced blockbuster Kannada movies like Kirik Party, Avatar Purusha, and Avane Srimannarayan, among others. However, he suffered heavy financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and sought help from his relative, Adarsha DB, to meet his financial needs.
Adarsha promised to lend him a personal loan for 5 per cent of the monthly interest. Since the producer was in dire need of money, he borrowed Rs 5 crore from 2019 to 2023 and repaid Rs 9.6 crore through banks on different dates so far, along with cash of Rs 1.9 crore to Adarsh and his associates. However, the accused later started harassing the producer for paying 13 crores, claiming to be the interest amount and threatened him with dire consequences if he did not pay up.
Unable to bear the harassment, the producer filed a complaint in the Central Crime Branch against private money lenders under various sections of the Karnataka Money-Lenders Act, 1961. The complaint was filed by Kishore Kumar, Deputy Register of Co-Operative Society, for allegedly cheating and threatening the renowned Kannada film producer for extorting crores of rupees from him through exorbitant interest.
Following the complaint to the CCB Police, an FIR was registered in the Money Laundering Section, and an investigation is underway. As per the complaint, the accused even sent recovery agents to the producer’s house and office to threaten and intimidate him.
Meanwhile, Pushkara’s last produced film was the comedy-drama Avatara Purusha: Trishankupayanam. The much-awaited sequel was released in theatres on March 22. He also has a lineup of projects in the pipeline involving talented directors and actors. As per a report by the New Indian Express, Pushkar said, “I want to give back-to-back films to audiences through my production house, Pushkar Films.”
He added, “Out of 12 films, nine of my productions mostly had debutants, a legacy I want to continue. I always believe in new talents, which started with Godhi Banna Sadharna Mykattu. I succeeded, and I am involving more newcomers and technicians in my future endeavours as well.”
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