After viral prison photo, a clip emerges showing Kannada actor Darshan on a video call

After a photo went viral showing actor Darshan, currently incarcerated in a Bengaluru jail, smoking a cigarette in an open field surrounded by three others, a video has now surfaced showing the Kannada actor having a phone conversation with a man.

NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The video begins with a man in a yellow t-shirt smiling at another man in a video call. The second man then walks away with his phone, points the camera away from his face and hands it to someone else. Darshan's face appears on the screen as he cheerfully waves his hand to greet the man. The man points to his mouth and asks if the actor has eaten anything. A smiling Darshan responds with a nod and after exchanging a few words, both wave goodbye.

The 25-second video shows the actor sitting in a brightly lit room. Behind him, a large curtain covers the wall and a few items of clothing hang on hooks.

The Kannada actor is one of 17 people, including his friend, actor Pavithra Gowda, who are in custody in connection with the murder of his fan Renukaswamy.

The 33-year-old fan allegedly sent obscene messages to Gowda, following which his body was found near a stormwater drain in Sumanahalli, Bengaluru on June 9.

On Sunday, a photo purportedly showing the actor sitting on a lawn chair next to three men, including gangster Wilson Garden Naga and his manager, went viral. The video raised doubts about the alleged special amenities the actor and his aides are being offered in prison.

Prison authorities have been asked to conduct an internal investigation into the case.

Renukaswamy's father demanded a CBI probe and punishment of those responsible after the photo went viral on social media. “Such things make you feel that a CBI probe should be held… When I look at the picture, I am surprised to see him (Darshan) with others, holding a cigarette and drinking tea. We doubt whether he is in jail or not. Jail should be a jail and not become something else. He should be treated like other normal prisoners, but here it looks like he is sitting in a resort,” he said.