HYDERABAD: In a bizarre twist of events, a’friendly chat’ between a budding assistant director in Tollywood and a woman fashion designer turned murky as the latter barged into the house of the former and smashed his head with a rod causing grievous injuries, late night on Thursday. Sharat Kumar, the assistant director was chatting with fashion designer Manga Reddy, who is also a member of the regional censor board, over phone, when the chatting turned bitter.
Manga Reddy alleged that Sharat Kumar was sending obscene messages to her which forced her to react. Police have registered cases against both, based on complaints lodged by opposite parties.
According to police, Sharat Kumar and Manga Reddy were friends and both had worked together for some short films. They used to chat over mobile phone every day.
On Thursday night also, they chatted for more than 45 minutes. “During the chat, Manga Reddy typed some words with spelling mistakes, which was pointed out by Sharat Kumar, who also allegedly made certain remarks.
Minutes after the chat, Manga Reddy forced her way into Sharat’s residence located in Banjara Hills along with one Kishan, and assaulted him with iron rods,” police said.
In his complaint, Sharat said that he was fast asleep when Manga Reddy and Kishan barged into his house around midnight. “She picked an argument and then attacked me with a rod. She was also instigating Kishan to attack me,” he alleged.
Hours later, Manga Reddy too arrived at the Banjara Hills police station complaining that Sharat Kumar was harassing her by sending obscene messages.
“Sharat abused me and used filthy language while chatting. Irritated over his behaviour, I went to his flat last night. As I entered , he tried to assault me and my friend Kishan. To escape from the attack, I pushed him away. Sharat fell on the washing machine and sustained head injury,” Manga stated in her complaint.
Meanwhile, a preliminary probe revealed that Sharat used to chat with Manga Reddy frequently and had the habit of pointing out her mistakes.
On Thursday, he also sent a message to Manga Reddy on Facebook pointing out that one of her posts had mistakes. Later, they chatted over mobile phone after which the incident took place. Close friends of both parties have intervened and are trying for a patch-up.