South Actor Dhruva Sarja Booked For Allegedly Cheating Producer-Director Raghvendra Hegde Of ₹9.58 Crore

Mumbai: The Amboli police have registered an FIR against South Indian actor Dhruva Kumar, alias Dhruva Sarja, for allegedly cheating producer-director Raghvendra Hegde of Rs 3.15 crore.

Hegde claims that, with 18% interest since 2018, his total loss now amounts to Rs 9.58 crore.

About The Case

According to the FIR, Hegde, 52, a Kandivali West resident and owner of RH Entertainment and R-9 Entertainment, made his directorial and production debut in 2016 with Jaggi Dada. He alleged that after the film’s success, Dhruva visited his Mumbai office and expressed interest in working with him. Between 2016 and 2018, Dhruva persuaded him to collaborate on the film ‘The Soldier’, even providing its script.

Hegde claimed Dhruva demanded advance payment before signing the agreement, saying he needed the money to buy a flat, and assured him the film would start soon. Between June 2018 and March 2021, Hegde allegedly paid Dhruva Rs 3.15 crore in cash, in eight instalments, after borrowing at high interest.

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On February 21, 2019, both parties signed an agreement under which Dhruva committed to 80 days of shooting and promotions in 2020. However, Dhruva sought more time, and the pandemic further delayed the project. After lockdown, he allegedly began avoiding Hegde. In 2021, Dhruva said he could not work on the film and kept making excuses, even asking Hegde to pay six other persons linked to the project, which he did.

Hegde alleged that Dhruva never worked on the film nor returned the money, having approached him with the intent to cheat. The Amboli police registered the case on August 7 under Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.