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The Hindu
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil actor Srikanth arrested for allegedly buying cocaine from drug cartel
Tamil film actor Srikanth, also known as Sriram Krishnamachari, 46, was arrested on Monday by the Nungambakkam police of the Greater Chennai Police for allegedly buying cocaine from a drug cartel. The cartel includes a Nigerian national who was recently arrested. The authorities are on the lookout for actor Krishna, who is believed to be in Kerala. A senior police officer confirmed the arrest and said Srikanth had been in regular contact with three drug offenders arrested recently. 'Our investigation revealed that he procured and consumed cocaine... Further investigation is under way,' the officer said. Srikanth made his big screen acting debut in the 2002 Tamil film Roja Kootam. He has also starred in notable films like April Maadhathil (2002), Parthiban Kanavu (2003), Okariki Okaru (2003), and the Tamil remake of 3 Idiots, titled Nanban (2012). Srikanth has received multiple awards, including Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards. To combat drug-trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) operates under the supervision of Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A. Arun. It gathers intelligence on ganja and synthetic drugs, identifies offenders and networks, and works with local police stations to make arrests. On June 17, based on the ANIU's inputs, the Nungambakkam police arrested Pradeep Kumar, alias Prado, 38, of Sankari in Salem, and John, 38, a Ghanaian national, after they were found in possession of 11 grams of cocaine. During interrogation, Pradeep said he had supplied drugs to T. Prasad, a dismissed AIADMK functionary, who sold the cocaine to Srikanth at a Nungambakkam pub last month. Brawl at bar Prasad, along with his associates, had been arrested earlier in connection with a brawl at a bar. Further investigation revealed that he had also been involved in a job racket, cheating a Hyderabad businessman. Police sources said Prasad had worked in film production with Srikanth and the latter frequently socialised with the offenders. The police searched Srikanth's residence in the Nungambakkam Lake Area, where cocaine in small quantities was allegedly seized. On Monday morning, Srikanth was detained for questioning and then arrested after his blood test came back positive for narcotics. He was examined at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Sourced from Bengaluru The cocaine was reportedly sourced from Bengaluru through Pradeep and John, who purchased it for ₹7,000 per gram and sold it in Chennai for ₹12,000. Mr. Arun has directed the ANIU and the local law enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance and crack down on organised narcotics trafficking. Investigations are under way to apprehend other individuals linked to the syndicate.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Actor Srikanth arrested by Greater Chennai Police in drug case
Tamil film actor Srikanth was on Monday arrested by the Greater Chennai Police in a drug bust case, sources said. The actor was taken in for questioning on Monday morning based on statements given by the accused in another drug case. A week ago, the Nungambakkam police had arrested John, a native of Ghana, and seized 11 gm of cocaine from him. Police sources said that Srikanth's arrest was linked to this case, indicating that the actor had procured the narcotic from him. The agency is yet to issue any official statement on this. Srikanth has acted in many successful Tamil movies including his debut Roja Kootam in 2002, April Maadhathil (2002), Parthiban Kanavu (2003), Oru Naal Oru Kanavu (2005), Poo (2008), and Nanban (2012) among others. Reflecting on his colourful filmography, dotted with films from a wide variety of stories, Srikanth had told The New Indian Express in an earlier interview, "My career graph looks more like an ECG graph, with such highs and lows." Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal was his latest release and came out in March 2025. The actor's arrest follows a similar arrests from the Kerala film industry, that saw actor Shine Tom Chacko as well as directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza being questioned by cops.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who is Srikanth, Tamil actor arrested by Chennai Police for buying cocaine?
The Chennai Police on Monday arrested Tamil actor Srikanth over drug abuse charges and brought in for questioning at the Nungambakkam police station, reported multiple media reports. The police reportedly collected Srikanth's blood samples and sent them for testing. However, after a detailed interrogation, they arrested him for alleged links with Prasad. He has not been formally charged yet, and the police maintain the proceeding will remain evidence-based. Earlier, the Chennai police had arrested Prasad, a former AIADMK functionary, while investigating a pub brawl in the city. Police discovered the involvement of drugs during the probe, which led to the expansion of the investigation. As per the details, Prasad is an expelled AIADMK IT Wing member from Mylapore and was taken into custody after a brawl at a private bar. In that incident, local rowdy Tsunami Sethupathi and others were also involved. On being interrogated, Prasad admitted to supplying of drugs – cocaine – to Srikanth. He added that Srikanth allegedly bought 1 gram of cocaine for ₹ 12,000. Prasad even alleged that Srikanth had used drugs at private parties in Chennai. Apart from Srikanth, actor Krishna's name also surfaced and he too is being investigated. Born in Chennai to a Tamil mother from Kumbhakonam and a Telugu father from Chittor, Srikanth was raised in Hyderabad. His father used to work with the State Bank of India. Srikanth lost his older brother to dengue following his return from the United States. Srikanth uses his name as Sriram in Telugu films to avoid confusion. he married Vandana on 7 September 2008 and has two children. After making an acting debut in 1999 with the television series Jannal - Marabu Kavithaigal, he made his big screen debut with the Tamil film 'Roja Kootam' in 2002. He appeared in his first Telegu film 'Okariki Okaru' in 2003. Among his notable films include Manasellam, Varnajalam, Kana Kandein, Oru Naal Kanavu, Bambara Kannale, Mercury Pookkal, East Coast Road, Poo, Sathurangam, and Nanban. His recent work includes the Tamil films Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal, the Telugu film Erracheera, and the JioCinema web series Harikatha, reported Times Now.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tamil actor Srikanth arrested by Chennai police in drugs case. How he was caught?
Tamil actor Srikanth , also known as Sriram in Telugu cinema, has been arrested by the Chennai police, reported Sun News on Monday. The arrest comes in connection with a developing drug case that has already roped in several individuals, including a former AIADMK functionary. As per a report by News18, the arrest followed the actor's questioning at the Nungambakkam police station, where his name reportedly came up during the interrogation of Prasad—an expelled AIADMK IT Wing member from Mylapore. Prasad had earlier been taken into custody following a brawl at a private bar, an incident which also involved other party associates and local rowdy Tsunami Sethupathi. During his interrogation, Prasad admitted to supplying drugs, including cocaine, to Srikanth. This led the police to summon the actor for further questioning. Prasad claimed that Srikanth bought one gram of cocaine for Rs 12,000, according to the report. He further alleged that Srikanth had used drugs at private parties and clubs in Chennai. These revelations have prompted a broader probe into potential drug use within the film industry, with other names such as actor Krishna also being investigated based on the same confession. Medical Tests Ordered, Legal Action to Follow As part of the inquiry, the police collected blood samples from Srikanth to test for drug usage. The results of these tests will determine the legal course of action against the actor. Officials have maintained that no final conclusions will be drawn until the forensic analysis and additional investigation are completed. While Srikanth has not publicly addressed the allegations, neither he nor his legal representatives have issued an official statement. The actor has not been formally charged yet, and the police have reiterated that proceedings will remain evidence-based. Srikanth's Career and Background Srikanth began his acting journey with the television serial Jannal – Marabu Kavithaigal in 1999, before transitioning to cinema with his Tamil debut Roja Kootam in 2002. He gained popularity with several Tamil and Telugu films including Manasellam, Kana Kandein, and Nanban. His most recent appearances include the Tamil film Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal and the Telugu project Erracheera, alongside the web series Harikatha on JioHotstar. The case forms part of a larger crackdown on drug use within the Tamil film industry. Chennai Police are believed to be widening their net to investigate other celebrities and individuals possibly linked to narcotic procurement and distribution.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tamil-Telugu actor Srikanth brought in for questioning by police in drugs case: Report
Tamil and Telugu actor Srikanth, aka Sriram, finds himself embroiled in a drugs case and has been brought in for questioning by the police. A report by Asianet News claims that a former AIADMK member arrested in a bar brawl and a drugs case has named the actor. Actor Srikanth has reportedly been named by an individual arrested in a drugs case. The report states that after a fight broke out at a bar in Nugambakkam, former AIADMK member Prasad was arrested by the police for allegedly consuming drugs and taken in for questioning. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to giving some to actor Srikanth. He allegedly claimed to have supplied cocaine and other drugs to the actor. A News18 Tamil report claims that the police are investigating whether Srikanth bought one gram of cocaine for ₹ 12,000. Following this, police brought in Srikanth for questioning on Monday. The report further states that the special police team investigating the case at Nugambakkam has drawn blood from Srikanth to test for drugs. Depending on the results from the tests, action will be taken against the actor. This is a developing story, and further details are awaited. As per the report, the actor has not been booked in the case yet. Who is Srikanth? Srikanth was popular in the early 2000s for working in Tamil and Telugu films. He is often credited as Sriram in Telugu films. After working as a model, he made his acting debut with K Balachander's TV show Jannal – Marabu Kavithaigal in 1999. In 2002, he debuted on the silver screen with the Tamil film Roja Kootam. His Telugu debut was with the 2003 film Okariki Okaru. Since then, he has acted in films like Manasellam, Varnajalam, Kana Kandein, Oru Naal Kanavu, Bambara Kannale, Mercury Pookkal, East Coast Road, Poo, Sathurangam, and Nanban. Srikanth was most recently seen in the Tamil film Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal and the Telugu film Erracheera, as well as the JioHotstar web series Harikatha.
