The Kannada Film Producers' Association (KFPA) banned Nikitha from acting in Kannada movies for three years for "creating disharmony in the family of actor Darshan", who was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting his wife.

Nikitha, a popular actress in Kannada, was part of Tamil films like 'Vetrivel Sakthivel' and 'Saroja'. Her other movie 'Muran', in which she has shared the screen space with Cheran and Prasanna, is set to hit the screens next week.

The KFPA, after an emergency meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday, imposed the ban on Nikitha. Association president Munirathna announced the decision to other members, which, it is said, was accepted unanimously.

"We felt that Nikitha was responsible for creating a big storm in Darshan's family life. A stringent initiative is needed against her. Hence we have decided that none of the producers should sign her up for three years," KFPA office-bearer Rockline Venkatesh was quoted saying.