25 actors booked for betting app ads; veteran actor Prakash Raj reacts
PTC Web Desk: A major controversy has erupted in Telangana as 25 celebrities, including renowned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, have been named in an FIR for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The case was registered following a complaint by businessman Phanindra Sarma, who accused these actors and influencers of promoting gambling platforms that have led many people to financial distress.
The list of accused also includes popular names from the film and television industry such as Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Sunny Yadav, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, and Bandaru Sheshayani Supritha.
According to the FIR, these celebrities and influencers allegedly used social media platforms to promote betting apps and websites in exchange for hefty payments. The complaint claims that these promotions encouraged people, particularly those struggling financially, to invest their money in these platforms, eventually leading to addiction and severe financial crises.
The complainant, Phanindra Sarma, stated in his complaint that several individuals have lost their life savings after engaging with these betting platforms. He also revealed that he had nearly invested in one such app but refrained after being warned by his family. The complaint further emphasises how celebrities’ endorsements mislead the public into believing that these platforms are legitimate, when in reality, they operate illegally.
The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to cheating, along with provisions from the Information Technology (IT) Act and state laws governing cyber fraud and illegal gambling.
Veteran actor Prakash Raj, one of the accused, has reacted to the case, clarifying that he had appeared in an advertisement for a betting app nearly a decade ago. “I was associated with the ad way back in 2015, but I opted out after a year,” he said, adding that he is currently seeking more details regarding the case.
The case against these prominent Telugu actors comes just months after a high-profile controversy involving Allu Arjun, who was arrested in December following a tragic incident at the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad. The chaos at the cinema hall led to the death of a woman as an uncontrollable crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the superstar.
- With inputs from agencies
