CHENNAI: Tamil and Telugu film actor Srikanth, also known as Sriram Krishnamachari, was arrested by the Greater Chennai Police on June 23, 2025, on charges of drug abuse, sending shockwaves through the South Indian film industry. The 46-year-old actor, known for his roles in films like Roja Kootam (2002) and Nanban (2012), was remanded to judicial custody until July 7, 2025, following a high-profile investigation that uncovered a complex web of drug trafficking, job scams, and land grabbing. The case has also implicated other actors and revealed systemic issues within Tamil Nadu’s entertainment and political circles.

The investigation began on May 22, 2025, when a violent altercation outside a private bar in Chennai’s Nungambakkam area led to the arrest of eight individuals, including T. Prasad, a former AIADMK IT Wing functionary. The Nungambakkam Police, probing the brawl, discovered evidence of drug use, prompting a deeper investigation by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU). 

Prasad’s arrest revealed his involvement in a Rs. 2 crore job scam, where he allegedly defrauded over 200 people by promising government jobs in institutions like the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), Greater Chennai Corporation, and the Income Tax Department. Further scrutiny of his phone and financial transactions exposed his ties to a drug cartel, leading to the arrest of actor Srikanth.

On June 23, 2025, Srikanth was detained for questioning at the Nungambakkam Police Station after his name surfaced during Prasad’s interrogation. A search of Srikanth’s residence in the Nungambakkam Lake Area uncovered seven empty cocaine packets and one gram of the drug. Blood tests conducted at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital confirmed narcotic use, and financial records revealed transactions totaling Rs. 4.72 lakh, allegedly paid via Google Pay to a drug supplier named Pradeep Kumar for approximately 40 cocaine purchases at Rs. 12,000 per gram. Police sources also cited WhatsApp chats and other digital evidence linking Srikanth to the drug network.

Following an eight-hour interrogation, Srikanth was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and produced before the 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore. Represented by advocate Vignesh Ramanadhan, he was remanded to judicial custody in a first-class prison facility due to his public profile and reported health concerns for his child. Srikanth expressed regret to the police, stating, “I didn’t know that using cocaine was illegal. I made a mistake without knowing it. Now that I have been arrested, I fear for my son and daughter’s future.” He emphasized that he did not distribute drugs, claiming personal use only.

The investigation revealed a sprawling criminal network involving drug trafficking, job scams, and land grabbing. Prasad, a central figure, allegedly sourced cocaine from Pradeep Kumar, who was connected to a Ghanaian national named John operating out of Bengaluru. John was arrested with 11 grams of cocaine, and financial transactions suggested possible money laundering. Additionally, Prasad and his associate Ajay Vandaiyar, along with accomplices Nagendra Sethupathi, Chandrasekar (alias Senthil), and Sivasankaran, were implicated in land-grabbing schemes targeting landowners in Chennai and NRIs by forging documents and using threats. A chief constable from Madurai, Senthil, was also arrested for aiding Prasad by sharing confidential call records and location data.

The probe has expanded to include other Tamil film industry figures. Actor Krishna was arrested on June 26, 2025, after being detained in Kerala, where he was reportedly filming. His arrest followed the seizure of narcotics, including half a gram of cocaine, 2.4 grams of OG ganja, and 10.5 grams of methamphetamine, from his associate Kevin, who acted as a middleman in the drug trade. WhatsApp chats indicated Krishna’s involvement in drug use and sharing within a network of users. Two leading Tamil actresses are also under police scrutiny, though their identities remain undisclosed.

Srikanth’s arrest has sparked significant concern in Kollywood, with police indicating that more celebrities may be questioned as the investigation widens. The case has also drawn political attention, with the AIADMK and BJP accusing the ruling DMK government of failing to curb the drug menace in Tamil Nadu. The DMK countered that the arrests demonstrate the law’s impartiality, regardless of status or influence. The involvement of police officials and a former AIADMK functionary has raised questions about systemic corruption and collusion.

Posts on X reflect public outrage and concern, with some users describing the Tamil film industry as plagued by a “dark rot” of drug addiction and abuse of power. One user wrote, “Tamil film industry has a dark rot. Drug addiction runs rampant. A few of the stars are predatory womanizers. This isn’t glamour, it’s unchecked abuse hiding in plain sight.”

Srikanth, who debuted in the 1999 TV series Jannal – Marabu Kavithaigal and rose to fame with Roja Kootam (2002), has appeared in nearly 70 films, including April Madhathil, Parthiban Kanavu, and Nanban, the Tamil remake of 3 Idiots. His recent projects include the Tamil film Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal (March 2025), the Telugu film Erracheera, and the JioCinema web series Harikatha. Married to Vandana since 2008 after a publicized court battle, Srikanth has two children and expressed deep concern for their future during his interrogation.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Police, led by Deputy Commissioner Visharani (IPS), have intensified their crackdown on narcotics trafficking, with 24 arrests made so far, including five detentions under the Goondas Act. The case has highlighted the need for stricter enforcement and rehabilitation programs to address drug abuse in the entertainment industry. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on dismantling the broader drug and criminal network, with potential implications for both the film industry and Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.