The Karnataka Film Producers Association (KFPA) succumbed to extreme pressure from the Sandalwood industry to lift the ban on Actor Nikita Thukral imposed last week in the wake of alleged wife-beating by popular star Darshan.

Darshan was arrested by the police and remanded to custody following a complaint by his wife Vijayalakshmi who had alleged torture by him when she had questioned about his activities.

She had also taken strong objection to his close assoication with Nikita, asouth Indian bilingual actor. KFPA members and fraternity members, including the family of late Dr Rajkumar, had expressed vociferous protest over the three- year ban slapped on the Actor by Association President Muniratna and said the decision was unilateral.

A local court had denied Bail to Darshan and also declined to take cognisance of the plea by Vijayalakshmi on withdrawing the case stating that she had been giving contradictory statements.

Nikita, who had acted in over 30 films and had recently turned a Film Producer, pleaded innocence and claimed she had no role in the quarrel between Darshan and his wife. She had acted opposite to Darshan in some films. A beaming Nikita thanked all those who supported her and vocied protest against the ban ''for an act which I am not even aware or responsible for.''