Film director Mani Shankar's son held for obstructing police, assaulting home guard

Prem Shankar, the 40‑year‑old son of renowned film director Mani Shankar, was arrested on Wednesday by Banjara Hills police in Hyderabad after an incident in which he allegedly obstructed police officials , assaulted home guards , and caused a major traffic blockage in a busy city junction.

Police said the episode unfolded on March 1 at around 7:30 pm near the NFCL junction on Road No. 2 within the Banjara Hills Police Station limits after the battery of his electric car drained , leaving the vehicle stranded on the main road and causing significant congestion.

A woman constable and two home guards, identified locally as Maniyam and Dhana Laxmi, approached Shankar’s vehicle and offered to help clear it to ease traffic. Despite repeated requests, he refused to step out of the car , police said. When officials attempted to remove the vehicle with the help of passers‑by, Shankar allegedly pushed one or more home guards and obstructed them in the performance of their duty .

After the vehicle was eventually shifted from the road, Shankar left the scene and returned home , prompting police to initially put the case on hold. Officers later tracked him through the car’s registration details and arrested him at his residence in Srinagar Colony on Wednesday.

Authorities have booked him under Sections 131 and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) , which cover assault and criminal force against public servants and obstruction of official duty . Police also said they suspect he may have been under the influence of alcohol during the incident and are examining whether a blood sample can be collected as part of the investigation.

Mani Shankar is a noted filmmaker in Hindi cinema, known for films such as 16 December and Rudraksh . As of now, Prem Shankar remains in custody while legal proceedings continue.