Actor Vemal on the run after he, friends attack Telugu artist

CHENNAI: It was not a film shoot at a service apartment in Virugambakkam where two actors exchanged blows and those who witnessed the fight took at least a couple of minutes to realise that it was for real.


In the wee hours of Monday, actor Vemal, who shot to fame with films such as Kalavani,

Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga

and

Vaagai Sooda Vaa

, and three of his friends attacked actor Abishek, who works in Telugu films.

Police said Abishek Verma, 33, from Bengaluru, came to the city to shoot for Avan Adhu Aval a month ago and had been staying in the serviced apartment at Baskar Colony, Virugambakkam. At 1.30 am, Vemal came to the apartment with three of his friends asking for a room. Abishek, who was seated on a chair in the verandah, was on his phone and ignored Vemal, said police. He gestured the actor to wait till he finished the call.

“Abishek did not realise that it was actor Vemal,” police said. Irked by his behaviour, Vemal told Abishek to “show him respect”. However, the latter continued to ignore him and spoke over the phone. Vemal, who was drunk, grabbed Abishek’s phone attacked him. His three friends also joined him. Abishek fought off the gang but got injured.

The staff at the service apartment rushed in to pacify the men. Abishek suffered injuries to his eyes and face and was taken to a private hospital. Subsequently, he filed a complaint against Vemal, who fled the spot, at the Virugambakkam police station.

Police, who checked the

CCTV footage

at the apartment, have booked case against Vemal under IPC section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 294 (b) (using obscene words).

“The actor is on the run. A special team is on the job to nab him,” said an investigating officer.