Early Monday morning, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided a suspected rave party at a farmhouse in Bengaluru, resulting in the arrest of several high-profile individuals from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Drugs were reportedly found and seized from the premises.
Following the raid, rumors quickly spread that actors Srikanth and Hema were present at the party. These rumors were fueled by a video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) showing police apprehending attendees. One man, attempting to conceal his face with his t-shirt, bore a striking resemblance to Srikanth, sparking widespread speculation. Hema's name was also linked to the incident, with reports alleging her presence at the party.
In response to the swirling rumors, both actors took to social media to dispel the speculation. Hema, who said she received numerous calls from reporters and well-wishers regarding her alleged arrest, released a video statement. She stated that she was currently at a farmhouse in Hyderabad, emphasizing that she was not in Bengaluru. "I have not gone anywhere," she said in the video, "I am enjoying and chilling at a farmhouse in Hyderabad. Please don't believe rumors. I don't know who’s there, it’s fake news that I was at the party."
Srikanth, in a video recorded at his home, acknowledged the resemblance between the man in the video and himself. "I agree that man looks like me, but I am in Hyderabad at home," he stated. "He has a beard, which I don't right now. We laughed when we found out because recently, there have been rumours about me divorcing Ooha also, and now this." He went on to say that he is not the type to attend rave parties, and typically only attends birthday events.
Despite the actors' clarifications, the incident has sparked further speculation and highlights the impact of misinformation in the digital age.