Bengaluru, Sep 3 — The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted a divorce to popular Kannada actor, director, and producer Duniya Vijay and his wife, Nagarathna, ending their long-running marital dispute.
The court also directed the actor to pay Rs 2 crore as one-time alimony to his wife.
A Division Bench of Justice D.K. Singh and Justice H. Shanthi Bhushan, while dissolving the marriage, considered Nagarathna's circumstances and the couple's three children, as well as Vijay's financial standing and status in the film industry.
The dispute between the couple had persisted for several years. Earlier, a Family Court had rejected Vijay's plea for divorce, holding that the grounds of cruelty cited by him were not established. However, the relationship remained strained, with Vijay unwilling to resume cohabitation and Nagarathna initially opposing dissolution of the marriage.
During the proceedings, Vijay alleged that Nagarathna had failed to properly care for his parents, among other grievances. After considering the prolonged breakdown of the marriage and the welfare of the wife and children, the High Court allowed the divorce petition and awarded Nagarathna a one-time compensation of Rs 2 crore.
The court ordered that the compensation should be paid as a one-time amount within two months. In case of failure to make the payment within the stipulated period, Vijay will have to pay interest at the rate of six per cent per annum.
The Bench also observed that the good conduct and values portrayed by public figures on screen should be reflected in their personal lives as well. The parties have the option of challenging the order before the appropriate forum.
Duniya Vijay rose to prominence with the 2007 blockbuster Duniya and later established himself as an actor, director and producer in the Kannada film industry. He also played the principal antagonist opposite Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna in Veera Simha Reddy.
His daughter, Monisha Vijay Kumar, is set to make her acting debut in the Kannada film City Lights, directed by Vijay and featuring Vinay Rajkumar in the lead role.