 Darshan has a sister, Divya, and a younger brother, Dinakar, a film director, screenwriter and producer, who runs the production house, Thoogudeepa Productions.As a child, Darshan received his primary and secondary education in Mysuru.After graduating from Ninasam, Darshan worked as a projectionist before becoming an assistant cameraman to veteran cinematographer B. C. Gowrishankar.