Bengaluru police arrested actor-director B.I. Hemant Kumar after a TV actress accused him of sexual harassment, cheating, and criminal intimidation

NEW DELHI: Rajajinagar Police in Bengaluru have arrested actor, director, and producer B Hemant Kumar following a complaint by a television actress accusing him of sexual harassment, cheating, and criminal intimidation.The actress alleged that Hemant approached her in 2022 with an offer for the lead role in a film titled “3”, signing an agreement promising Rs 2 lakh, of which Rs 60,000 was paid upfront. She claimed that Hemant delayed the shoot and began pressuring her to wear revealing outfits and perform obscene scenes. When she refused, he allegedly misbehaved and threatened her.Although she completed her portions after mediation through the Film Chamber, Hemant reportedly continued to harass and intimidate her. In 2023, during a promotional event in Mumbai, he allegedly spiked her drink, filmed her while intoxicated, and used the footage to blackmail her. When she resisted, Hemant is said to have sent goons to follow her and issued threats to her and her mother’s life.Additionally, Hemant is accused of posting uncensored and edited clips of the film on social media without Censor Board approval, sharing her personal information, and defaming her publicly. Despite a Bengaluru city civil court interim injunction prohibiting him from uploading videos, he allegedly violated the order and continued posting defamatory content.