On a day of high drama, the boyfriend of director-actor Cheran’s daughter, who was summoned to the Thousand Lights Police Station, allegedly threatened to commit suicide and was sent home with police protection, while girlfriend Damini was sent to a government home. At the time of going to press it was not clear why Chandru was summoned by the police.
The day began with Cheran defending his position after Damini accused him of intimidating boyfriend Chandru. Cheran claimed he was not opposed to love per se, but to Chandru.
He said was only discharging his duty as a responsible father by ensuring that his daughter gets a good husband. He even suggested that Damini had been coerced into lodging a ‘fake complaint’ against him by Chandru.
“I am not against love. My wife and I married after falling in love. I don’t believe in castes or social status. In fact, I initially approved this relationship. But when I did a background check, I heard a lot of bad things about him. How would any parent then agree to the relationship?” Cheran wondered after emerging from City Police Commissioner S George’s chamber.
Cheran was accompanied by film personalities Sarath Kumar, Radha Ravi, Ameer and S P Jananathan.
In his written complaint submitted to the police, Cheran claimed that Damini had herself filed a written complaint on July 10 against Chandru accusing him of harassing her. He wanted the police to pursue that complaint and help “rescue” Damini who, he alleged, was being intimidated and held a captive by Chandru.
“It was my daughter who first told me that she wanted to stay away from Chandru as he is behaving like a sadist and emotionally hurting her. I can’t understand what changed within the last few days,” Cheran said.
He denied Damini’s allegations that he was violent towards Chandru. “I don’t believe in violence. I don’t know why she said such things. But I believe my daughter would come back to me. And if the person chosen by her is really good, I would be happy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cheran’s wife and Damini’s mother Selvarani was admitted to a private hospital as she fell ill.
The police also engaged a school principal to counsel Damini on Friday night.
It is learnt that Damini, however, insisted on living with Chandru.