`Bandit was like a relative, there’s some humanity in him’

“It is as if I am visiting a new world,” the 72-year-old actor said about his homecoming after spending more than three months in the jungles. “I am surprised and equally happy that I am back. I am filled with emotions…it’s a new experience.”

At a Press conference that followed, the veteran actor revealed that a crucial role in his release had been played by a lady doctor, Bhanu, who had sought his cooperation to feign that his condition was really bad and unsettle Veerappan. He described the doctor as “goddess”, saying it was “devi shakti” that had saved him.

Earlier, Chief Minister S M Krishna and Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge received Dr Raj Kumar and brought him along with his family to the Vidhan Soudha where hundreds of fans were waiting with the actor’s film songs being played in the background.

“Tamils and Kannadigas are brothers. There should not be any narrow-mindedness, we are all Indians,” the actor told his fans. Asked whether Veerappan should now be pursued, he said “it is left to the government”, adding that he and the other hostages had been treated well.

Speculation is rife that a massive ransom has been paid to the dacoit. While the actor parried the question, Krishna abruptly ended the Press conference, saying, “I have come to present Dr Raj Kumar and that purpose has been served.” As for the actor, he maintained, “I have told my story. I am not aware of other things.” But his son, Shivraj Kumar, vehemently denied any ransom was paid.

Dr Raj Kumar also revealed that he was actually released on the evening of November 14 when he, along with another hostage, Nagesh, stayed in a “safe house”. Veerappan changed hideouts 50 to 60 times and used to keep them in one place for only two or three days.

“I do not know how I spent so many days in captivity. It was as if Veerappan and his associates were like our relatives. They also treated us that way,” he said, but added that it was agonising to be away from family and fans whom he revered as “gods”. But he added “there is some humaneness in Veerappan also” as both Nagesh and he were released in a “festive atmosphere” after being presented with new clothes.

Recalling the woman doctor, Bhanu’s role, he said that she had along with Mani and Ram Kumar walked into Veerappan’s lair a few days back and woken him up.

She had checked him and claimed she would not leave until he was free. Then, to instill some fear in Veerappan’s mind, she had claimed that his health was deteriorating. She and the two others then left the forest and returned five days later.

This time, Bhanu and her associates stayed on with him in the forest. Meanwhile, Tamil Nationalist Movement Leader P Nedumaran, Prof Kalyani and Sukumaran also walked into the forest and tried to persuade Veerappan by saying that they would take full responsibility for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu honouring their commitments to fulfil his demands.

Dr Raj Kumar observed that the four missions undertaken by journalist emissary R R Gopal did not yield any result but only kept raising their hopes.