TikTok star Johnny Dada, fan of Kabir Singh, kills flight attendant. Sandeep Reddy reacts

Kabir Singh director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has responded after the death of a Tik Tok user who was accused of three murders and often made references to the controversial film on his account. Ashwini Kumar shot himself dead last week in Uttar Pradesh; he was the main suspect in three murders, including that of a woman who allegedly rejected his romantic overtures. Speaking to mid-day, Mr Vanga said that while filmmakers 'need to consider repercussions,' his films - in particular the controversial Kabir Singh and its Telugu original Arjun Reddy - 'never supported murder.'

'Johny Dada' or 'Tik Tok Villain,' as Ashwini Kumar was known, was cornered by police in Bijnore, Uttar Pradesh and shot himself on a bus, news agency IANS reported last week. He was wanted for the murders of a local BJP leader's son and nephew, and a young woman who allegedly turned him down. Ashwini Kumar often posted film stills of actor Shahid Kapoor from Kabir Singh on his social media accounts. In one of his videos, he repeated one of Kabir Singh's dialogues: "Jo mera nahi ho sakta, usse kisi aur ka hone ka mauka nahi doonga."

Sandeep Reddy Vanga told mid-day, "I feel sorry for the girl and her family. It is unfortunate that people have lost their lives. As filmmakers, we are responsible for our craft and need to consider the repercussions but never have my films endorsed killing anyone. Kabir Singh or even Arjun Reddy (the Telugu original) never supported murder."