Ganesh of 'Mungaru Male' fame marries Shilpa

Bangalore, Feb 12 (IANS) Threats from crazy female fans forced Kannada film industry's lucky mascot Golden Star Ganesh, who gave hits like 'Mungaru Male' and 'Gaalipata', to marry his girl friend Shilpa a week before the actual wedding date.

The wedding was officially fixed for Feb 18 at a temple in Brahma, but fan pressure made the two families reschedule it earlier than planned, family sources said.

Ganesh tied the knot Feb 11 in the presence of a few friends and close relatives at the bride's J.P. Nagar residence here. Ganesh's teen-aged fans started telephoning him and his parents, threatening to end their lives, saying he should marry only a fan.

Some fans even went to his parents' house in Adakamaranahalli village, 30 km from Bangalore city, and told them that their son should not marry an 'outsider'.

'My parents told me how they are being threatened by unknown girls, who stormed into their house without notice. And I had switched off my mobile ever since the news of my marriage broke in the media', Ganesh told IANS.

'Many of my fans would telephone my brother or some of my friends, like film director Nagashekhar, and pour out their frustrations. They were even threatening to end their lives', Ganesh added.

'It was too much for my parents to bear and they said they would like to see the wedding happen at the earliest.'

Shilpa belongs to Barkur near Brahmavar town in the temple district of Udupi. Her father is a businessman settled in Dubai and Shilpa was educated there.

Ganesh has been seeing Shilpa for almost a year. A common friend, Ravindra Joshi, introduced the couple.

'Now, I am married to Shilpa. I want my friends and well wishers to forgive me for this sudden decision,' Ganesh said.

A happy Shilpa had this to say to her husband's fans: 'Ganesh is like any other ordinary person. Ganesh should be encouraged and appreciated for his acting talents. He is an exceptional entertainer and I promise that he will continue to entertain all of you in the coming days also.'

Among the few invited were Yogaraj Bhat, director of Ganesh's blockbuster movies 'Mungaru Male' and 'Gaalipata'. Also present at the wedding was his friend, actor Nagashekhar who is the director of Ganesh's next release 'Aramane', which is produced by K. Manju.