Tulasi Gananatya owner Nandu Babu faces FIR over harassment, threat allegations

Tulasi Gananatya owner Ananta Narayan Dhala, popularly known as Nandu Babu, has landed in fresh controversy after an FIR was registered against him at the Khandagiri police station on allegations of mental harassment and issuing threats to an artiste.

The complaint was filed by Padmini Das, mother of Jatra actor Sai Satyajit Panda, who performs villain roles in the Tulasi Gananatya troupe. In her FIR, Das alleged that her son had been subjected to sustained mental harassment and repeated threats by Dhala over the past several days.

She further claimed that her son’s life was under threat, alleging that the Tulasi Gananatya owner had deployed miscreants to intimidate him for the last five to six days. According to the complainant, Dhala also entered the green room during performances and allegedly threatened Sai Satyajit. Expressing serious concern over her son’s safety, Das said she would no longer allow him to continue working with the yatra party.

Sources said Sai Satyajit is currently unwell, which has added to the family’s anxiety regarding his safety.

In his statement, Sai Satyajit alleged that Dhala had repeatedly threatened him and once intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in near CRP Square. He claimed that he had sought an advance payment for his marriage, which Dhala had assured would be given in May. However, when he later followed up, he was allegedly told that priority would be given to managing the yatra party’s expenses.

The actor further claimed that when he sought clarity about continuing with the troupe next year, he was assured of his position but was denied his request to receive his annual remuneration of Rs 22 lakh in a single payment. He also denied having signed any five-year agreement with the troupe.

Meanwhile, Dhala appeared at the Khandagiri police station and was questioned by the police. Rejecting the allegations, he claimed that Sai Satyajit had signed a five-year contract with Tulasi Gananatya and accused the actor of performing for other yatra parties after accepting money from them.

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“He has signed a five-year agreement. I have information that he has taken Rs 40 lakh from another party. I have already paid him Rs 9 lakh. The allegations against me are false, and we will fight the case legally,” Dhala said.

Police officials stated that they are examining both the allegations and counter-claims and have launched an investigation into the matter.