Ever since Challenging star Darshan was put behind bars charged with domestic violence and attempt to murder, his die-hard fans have been throwing law and morals to the winds and demanding his release. They have also been trying hard to catch a glimpse of the actor and the opportunity has finally presented itself.

No, Darshan has not been released from jail, but one of his big budget films, Sarathy, released on Friday in over 100 theatres across Karnataka. The film, which has the actor performing stunts and mouthing punchy dialogues in each frame, will certainly please his fans.

Darshan's tainted image notwithstanding, the fans welcomed the film in a grand manner across Bengaluru. The main theatre, Nartaki, wore a festive look as Darshan's posters were soaked in milk. Garlands decorated the actor's cut-outs; crackers were burst and sweets distributed. Excited fans even danced to songs from the film.

 Tickets for the first day, first show, sold like hot cakes and people shelled out anywhere between Rs 100-300 for 'black' tickets.

The film is about an auto driver, so auto drivers dominated the crowd and they even decorated their vehicles with posters, newspaper cuttings, and flowers. Songs from Sarathy blared from the vehicles.

Members of Darshan's various fans' associations took out a procession after the show in order to publicise the film. Says Vinay, an auto driver: "I belong to the Jayanagar fan club. We are around 3000 members and all of us managed to watch the first show itself. We will now go in our autos across South Bengaluru and converge at Majestic near the main theatre and celebrate the release of Sarathy."

Most of the auto drivers were dressed in uniforms given by the film team during its audio launch.

While most fans restricted themselves to milk abhishekas, some hardcore ones choose to shed blood (of course, not their own!), like Darshan does in most of his films! They sacrificed a hen and mixed its blood with water and poured it on the actor's posters and cut-outs in Siddalingeshwara theatre.

When asked about the cruel sacrifice, Rajesh, a fan said, "We sacrificed a hen in the interest of Darshan. We not only want this film to run to packed houses but we also want Darshan to be released at the earliest."

So, is there no anger over Darshan's criminal act of physically abusing his wife? "That's his personal life and we are not concerned about it. We will continue to patronise his films like before. This film especially was entertaining. The fights and songs were the highlight. I will watch the film again," says Murthy, a fan.

What added to the fan frenzy were the light showers that the city experienced. Crazy fans went on to believe that rain meant good luck for the actor and said that the film would now run for 100 days.

There were others who believed that going to jail would bring Darshan's pending films success. "Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan have been successful and that despite being jail birds...same will be the case with our hero," said an ardent fan Karthik.

The Sarathy team had gone in for low-key publicity following Darshan's arrest. But the fans seem to have taken it upon themselves to promote their favourite hero. Darshan's alleged villainous off-screen act hardly seems to matter to them as long as they get to see him bashing up the baddies on screen.

Whether the celebrations are promoted by the film's backers (given that the film is directed by Darshan's brother Dinakar) to create an impression that the actor's market is rock-solid despite his personal image taking a beating, or just the craziness being displayed by fans, Sarathy has opened to full houses.

There were others who believed that going to jail would bring Darshan's pending films success. "Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan have been successful and that despite being jail birds...same will be the case with our hero," said an ardent fan Karthik.

The Sarathy team had gone in for low-key publicity following Darshan's arrest. But the fans seem to have taken it upon themselves to promote their favourite hero. Darshan's alleged villainous off-screen act hardly seems to matter to them as long as they get to see him bashing up the baddies on screen.

Whether the celebrations are promoted by the film's backers (given that the film is directed by Darshan's brother Dinakar) to create an impression that the actor's market is rock-solid despite his personal image taking a beating, or just the craziness being displayed by fans, Sarathy has opened to full houses.

It now remains to be seen whether the revenge drama, also starring Deepa Sanidhi, Rangayana Raghu and Sharath Kumar, will survive the Friday fever...