CHENNAI: Kollywood starlet Alphonsa’s 25-year-old boyfriend B Vinod Kumar was found hanging in the actor’s apartment in Virugambakkam early on Monday. While Vinod’s relatives cried foul over his death, Alphonsa was admitted in a private hospital in Vadapalani after she reportedly consumed an overdose of sleeping pills.
Bitten by the acting bug, Vinod Kumar alias Sai Kumar, a resident of Kalpakkam in Kancheepuram district, moved to the city about four years ago. Vinod was staying in a rented house at Valasaravakkam.
According to sources, a film titled Kavasam, in which Vinod donned the lead actor’s role, was slated for release. About a year ago, he came in contact with dance masters Robert Raj and his sister Alphonsa, known for her item numbers in Rajinikant’s Basha and Vikram-starrer Dil, among other flicks.
Six months ago, Vinod vacated the house at Valasaravakkam and moved in with the actor and her family, who were staying on the fourth floor of Shyamala Garden apartments in Virugambakkam.
Alphonsa, who was married and has a daughter, was yet to formally divorce her estranged husband.
According to sources, Vinod recently started pestering the starlet with requests to marry him. This led to arguments between the couple.
On Sunday, the night before Vinod was found hanging at the apartment, the couple reportedly had a similar verbal altercation.
Upon receiving information, the Virugambakkam police arrived at the spot, recovered Vinod’s body and sent it to the Government Royapettah Hospital for an autopsy.
Meanwhile, Vinod’s father R Babu alias Pandian, a local AIADMK functionary and realtor, and uncle B Sukumaran lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that Alphonsa’s family tried to extort money from Vinod, who resisted the attempts.
According to their complaint, Vinod was hit on the head and strangulated.
Meanwhile, Alphonsa consumed an overdose of sleeping pills, allegedly after Vinod’s relatives blamed her for his death.
The police said they were awaiting the results of the autopsy to determine the cause of death.