Kannada producer kidnaps actor-wife to demand custody of 1-year-old daughter

17-Dec-2025

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A film producer allegedly kidnapped his estranged wife, a Kannada actor and the mother of his one-year-old daughter, to force her family to hand over the child.

The accused, Harshavardhan, owner of Vardhan Enterprises, was named in a complaint by the actor’s family.

As per the FIR, Chaitra was allegedly called to the Mysuru Road Metro Station in Bengaluru around 8 am on Dec 7, where Harshavardhan, Kaushik and another person forced her into a car and abducted her, taking her via NICE Road and Bidadi. 

The information was conveyed to the family through a person known to Chaitra.

Later that evening, Harshavardhan allegedly called Chaitra’s mother and threatened that Chaitra would be released safely only if the child was brought to him. 

A similar message was allegedly conveyed to another relative, asking that the child be brought to Arsikere in exchange for Chaitra’s release.

Police have registered a case against Harshavardhan, Kaushik and another accused for kidnapping and criminal intimidation, and said investigations were underway.