Guindy police in Chennai have arrested television actor Varshini Venkat after a 26-year-old stock trader alleged that she and three associates assaulted and threatened him and extorted ₹5.5 lakh.
The complainant, identified as Tarun, said Venkat had asked him to invest in a short film she was making with friends. After he refused, the group allegedly confronted him near his hostel. He initially paid ₹50,000, then transferred ₹3 lakh to Venkat’s bank account and ₹2 lakh to another accused, Sanjay.
Tarun told police that Sanjay continued to demand another ₹27 lakh after the first payments. Investigators examined the bank transactions and confirmed transfers to Venkat’s account. Police seized an iPhone from her.
Venkat was produced before a court after questioning and remanded to judicial custody. Police are trying to locate the other people named in the complaint. The allegations remain subject to the investigation and court proceedings.