A case involving Kannada actress Flora Shaini (28) has led the Chennai police to an immigration racket involving several stars of the south Indian film industry.

Flora, known as Asha Saini in the Tamil film industry, was detained when she was travelling to the US earlier this week. She applied for bail last evening.

Needle of suspicion

A woman called Srilatha (30), posing as Flora’s make-up assistant, was accompanying her. When consulate officials questioned Srilatha, she contradicted what had been said in her application.

Officials suspected Srilatha was trying to sneak into the US as she knew nothing about Flora’s make-up. She reportedly revealed that travel agent Venkata Reddy had taken money from her and promised her a visa.

Flora was to return and Srilatha had been told to stay back in the US and look for a job.

Venkata Reddy had submitted a photo showing Srilatha applying make-up on Flora. He reportedly claimed the three of them were going to the US to shoot a Telugu film. Consulate officials found some documents forged and informed the police. The judge heard the case and ordered their detention for 15 days.

Top actors’ list

The US consulate then drew up a list of 200 actors, actresses and directors who visit the US regularly. It handed the list to police commissioners in the four southern states.

Two big names in the Tamil industry are under the scanner: a comedian who has made a name for his intelligent wit, and a big budget director who often shoots in the US.

Attention media!

US consulate official David Hopper called a press meet in Chennai yesterday. He reportedly said that 200 people in the south Indian industry, who figured in the list, would be temporarily blocked from obtaining US visas.

His statement has left the film fraternity in shock. Guessing games have begun about who figures on the controversial list.

Innocent?

It is possible many stars mentioned in the list are not aware of the racket, but the US consulate had decided to blacklist them till their names are cleared.

Consulate officials are being careful not to leak names to the media, lest the stars sue them for defamation.