Nellore: Mystery shrouds the death of Sannareddy Bhargav Reddy, 47, son of noted producer S. Gopal Reddy on Tues-day. His body was found floating in the Bay of Bengal between Anjalapuram and Srinivasapuram villages in Vakadu mandal of SPSR Nellore district on Tuesday morning.
Gopal Reddy’s Bhargava Arts is a popular production company with many successful films to its credit, many starring Balakrishna as hero.
The family had established a hatchery at Pambali village in Vakadu mandal more than two decades ago which Gopal Reddy’s brother managed till his death in 2008.
Bhargav, who lived in Chennai, had taken over the reins of the hatchery. He came to the factory on Monday around 4.30 pm and paid the staff their salaries. He then went to the sea coast along with his pet dog late in the evening.
Staff in the factory launched a search for him when he failed to return for dinner and approached the police when they could not contact any of his relatives.
Some fishermen noticed a body in the sea near Srinivasapuram and alerted the police.
Vakadu circle inspe-ctor U. Sathyanaraana went to the location, but employees of Bhargav’s hatchery had identified the body by then.
The employees surmise that Bhargav could have drowned when he ventured into the water to bathe his dog, which is a regular practice with him every time he visits the hatchery.
However, there are doubts because of the location where the body was spotted. According to locals, Srinivasapuram, where the body was found, is upstream of Pambali, and a body is expected to move downstream usually.
Hatchery staff said Bhargav has been living alone and his only sister is in Geneva. She is on her way to India and the body has been shifted to Nellore for preservation till her arrival.
The police have booked a suspicious death case and the investigation is likely to confirm whether there is any foul play.
Bhargav Reddy's father Gopal Reddy produced many hit films in the 1980s and 90s, including Madhura Nagarilo, Muddula Menalludu, Murali Krishnudu, Muvva Gopaludu, Muddula Krishnaiah, Maa Pallelo Gopaludu, Mangamma Gari Manamadu.
N Balakrishna was the hero in most of Reddy's films which were directed by ace director Kodi Ramakrishna. The firm stopped producing films after the demise of Gopal Reddy in 2008 as his only heir, Bharav Reddy, had switched over to other business activities.
