Duniya Vijay thanks Karnataka HC after divorce granted citing mental harassment
Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has granted Kannada actor Duniya Vijay a divorce from Nagarathna, citing prolonged mental harassment — overturning an earlier Family Court rejection. The bench ordered ₹2 crore in one-time alimony and delivered a pointed remark: that public figures' on-screen values should reflect in their private lives.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka High Court dissolved the marriage of Duniya Vijay and Nagarathna on 3 September .
The bench of Justice D.K.
Singh and Justice H.
Shanthi Bhushan cited prolonged mental harassment and breakdown of the relationship.
Vijay was directed to pay ₹2 crore as one-time alimony within two months ; failure attracts 6% per annum interest.
A Family Court had earlier rejected Vijay's divorce petition, finding cruelty not established.
Vijay thanked the court via Instagram , saying he accepted the order keeping his daughters' future in mind.
The court observed that public figures' on-screen conduct should ideally mirror their personal behaviour.
Kannada actor Duniya Vijay on Thursday, 3 September expressed gratitude to the Karnataka High Court after it dissolved his marriage to Nagarathna, acknowledging the alleged mental harassment he had faced over the years. The court also directed Vijay to pay ₹2 crore as one-time alimony to Nagarathna within two months.
The Court's Order
A bench comprising Justice D.K. Singh and Justice H. Shanthi Bhushan allowed Vijay's divorce petition, bringing an end to a prolonged marital dispute. The bench took into account the prolonged breakdown of the relationship, Nagarathna's circumstances, the couple's three children, and Vijay's financial standing and status in the film industry while passing the order. Should Vijay fail to pay the alimony within the stipulated period, he will be liable to pay interest at 6% per annum.
The court also notably observed that the good conduct and values portrayed by public figures on screen should ideally be reflected in their personal lives. Both parties retain the option of challenging the order before the appropriate forum.
Background: A Long Legal Battle
The marital dispute had dragged on for several years. A Family Court had earlier rejected Vijay's divorce petition, observing that the grounds of cruelty cited by him had not been established. Vijay, however, had remained unwilling to resume cohabitation, while Nagarathna had initially opposed the dissolution of the marriage. During proceedings, Vijay had raised several grievances, including allegations that Nagarathna had not properly cared for his parents.
What Vijay Said
Taking to Instagram following the verdict, Vijay posted a statement saying he had accepted the court's order and that his faith in the law had grown stronger. 'I have bowed to the court's order and surrendered along with my children. My faith in the law has grown even stronger. Taking into consideration the mental harassment I have faced, I have respectfully accepted the order passed by the Hon'ble High Court judges, Justice D.K. Singh and Justice Shantibhushan. I offer my respectful gratitude for this order,' he said in his post.
Vijay also cited his daughters' future and well-being as a key reason for accepting the order, adding that he did not wish to discuss the matter further in the media or in public. He thanked senior police officer Srivatsa and Yukta Anil for their support, along with his fans and media friends. He accompanied the post with the background score from his 2007 blockbuster film 'Duniya' — a song that reflects on the contradictions of love.
About Duniya Vijay
Vijay rose to prominence with the 2007 Kannada blockbuster 'Duniya' and has since 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 upcoming Kannada film 'City Lights', directed by Vijay and featuring Vinay Rajkumar in the lead role.
Point of View
And it cuts both ways. The ₹2 crore alimony, while substantial, will be weighed against Vijay's film-industry standing — and the six-per-cent interest clause for non-payment is the court's way of ensuring compliance, not just compliance on paper.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Karnataka High Court grant Duniya Vijay a divorce?
The Karnataka High Court granted the divorce after finding that the marriage had broken down irreparably, taking into account the alleged mental harassment Vijay faced and the prolonged refusal of both parties to resume cohabitation. The court considered the welfare of Nagarathna, the couple's three children, and Vijay's financial standing while passing the order.
How much alimony must Duniya Vijay pay Nagarathna?
The court directed Vijay to pay ₹2 crore as one-time alimony within two months of the order. If the payment is not made within that period, he will be liable to pay interest at 6% per annum on the outstanding amount.
Had a lower court previously rejected Vijay's divorce petition?
Yes. A Family Court had earlier dismissed Vijay's petition, ruling that the grounds of cruelty he cited had not been established. Vijay appealed to the Karnataka High Court, which reversed that finding and granted the divorce.
What did Duniya Vijay say after the court's order?
Vijay posted a statement on Instagram saying he had accepted the High Court's order and that his faith in the law had grown stronger. He cited his daughters' future and well-being as the primary reason for accepting the verdict and said he did not wish to discuss the matter further in public.
Who is Duniya Vijay?
Duniya Vijay is a Kannada actor, director, and producer who rose to prominence with the 2007 blockbuster 'Duniya'. He is also known for playing the antagonist in the Telugu film 'Veera Simha Reddy' opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna.
