Bengaluru: Kannada film director and actor Guruprasad was found dead in his flat at Dasanapura, off Tumakuru Road, North Bengaluru, on Sunday morning.
Police suspect the 52-year-old director, who was found hanging, took the extreme step on Oct 28 following financial troubles.
Police said apartment security personnel noticed foul smell coming from Guruprasad's first-floor flat. Some of them looked through one of the windows and found him hanging in the hall. "They alerted us. A team headed by Madanayakanahalli police inspector Muralidhara MK rushed to the spot, broke open the door and found Guruprasad hanging. No suicide was found though the entire flat was combed," a police officer said.
According to people close to the deceased, he was facing financial problems. They said Guruprasad's birthday was on Nov 2.
Adarsh Patel, a resident of the apartment, said Guruprasad had shifted to the flat about 10 months ago and hardly interacted with other residents.
Bengaluru district SP CK Baba said, "We've registered a suspicious death case. It appears that the deceased took the extreme step five-six days ago."
After post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family and cremated at Wilson Garden in the evening.
Guruprasad had divorced his first wife. His second wife, Sumithra, told police he had a few months ago sent her and their three-year-old daughter to her parental house. They had last met in May and were in contact on phone. She said she last tried to reach him by phone on Oct 25. As the calls were not answered, she thought he was busy at work.
She said her husband could have ended his life due to huge loans he had incurred and does not suspect any foul play.
Born in Kanakapura, about 60km from Bengaluru, Guruprasad began his film journey in 2006 by directing ‘Mata' and followed it up with ‘Eddelu Manjunatha' three years later. Both films brought him acclaim. His other movies included ‘Director's Special', ‘Eradane Sala' and ‘Ranganayaka'. He acted in small roles in a few films.
BOX:
If you are having suicidal thoughts or in need of emotional support, call suicide prevention helplines: Tele-Manas helpline: 14416 or 1800-891-4416, SAHAI Helpline: 080-25497777.
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