Have Gun, Will Shoot

Despite all this, Balakrishna is looking down the barrel. His shooting spree critically injured film producer B. Suresh and astrologer friend Satyanarayana Chaudhary. According to the police, all three were in "an inebriated state" when the incident occurred. Balakrishna has reportedly admitted to the shooting but claims he fired in self-defence after he was attacked with a paper knife. However, in a dramatic twist to the tale, both the injured men have allegedly changed their initial statements to the police. Suresh, who first claimed he had been shot by the actor, now says he cannot remember who shot him. Chaudhary claims he was shot accidentally.

However, police say they have enough evidence for a watertight case against the actor. This despite local film stalwarts coming on the scene to "rescue" Balakrishna. Investigations are on to find out if this was a premeditated move by the actor, given the fact that he had bought several rounds of bullets on the morning of the shooting. They have also questioned the actor’s wife and the servants present in the house. Industry sources say Balakrishna was peeved with Suresh who produced his last film Laxmi Narasimha. The film was a moderate hit but the actor had wanted the producer to ensure the film ran for at least 100 days in 287 theatres across the state. He also wanted compensation paid to the families of four fans who committed suicide after losing large sums betting on the film’s success.

As is the case with VIPs, Balakrishna, who has been remanded to two weeks judicial custody by the courts, is currently in a hospital purportedly suffering from depression.