Actress Sukanya has finally won a legal battle that lasted nearly three decades. The Madras High Court recently upheld a damages award of Rs. 10.01 lakh against Sun TV for airing a controversial interview with forest brigand Veerappan in 1996 without verifying the allegations made against her.
The court observed that Sun TV had the ability to edit or remove defamatory content before telecasting the interview but failed to do so. As a result, the broadcaster was held responsible for the damage caused to the actress’s reputation.
At the time, Sukanya was one of the biggest actresses in South Indian cinema. She was enjoying a dream run across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films and was working with almost every major star of that era.
The controversy began when Veerappan, during an interview conducted by journalist Nakkheeran Gopal, made sensational allegations linking Sukanya to a political scandal involving the son of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Sukanya strongly denied the claims and argued that the telecast severely damaged her image among audiences, family members, and the film industry.
The controversy came at the worst possible time in her career.
After making a successful debut in Bharathiraja’s Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, Sukanya quickly rose to become one of the most sought-after actresses in South India. She delivered several blockbuster films in Tamil, including Chinna Gounder, Mahanadhi, Indian, Chandralekha, Thooval Kottaram, Walter Vetrivel, and Raja Pandi.
However, after the Veerappan interview controversy, her career gradually lost momentum. Big-banner opportunities and leading roles alongside top stars became increasingly rare. Many within industry circles have long felt that the controversy cast a shadow over her career at a time when she was at the top of her game.
The legal battle that started in 1996 has finally ended in her favor. The Madras High Court also reinforced the principle that media organizations cannot escape responsibility when they broadcast unverified and defamatory allegations.
For Sukanya, the judgment may not undo the damage caused over the past three decades, but it certainly serves as a significant legal and moral victory after one of the longest personal battles of her life.
