Amid the promotions of his upcoming film Animal, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an online betting case involving the Mahadev app. He will appear before the probe agency on October 6, according to sources.
The ED is investigating the alleged illegal online betting and money laundering activities of the Mahadev app, which was endorsed by several Bollywood actors and singers. The probe agency is also looking into their attendance at the wedding and success party of the app’s promoter in the UAE.
Ranbir Kapoor‘s involvement as one of the prominent endorsers of the app has brought additional scrutiny to the case, which is being handled by the ED’s Mumbai zonal office. The actor had featured in several advertisements and promotional videos for the app, which claimed to offer online gaming and betting services.
(Also read: Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal Teaser Is Out, Netizens Call It Blockbuster! Check Out The Teaser And Reactions)
The ED had earlier raided the premises of the app’s promoter, Rajesh Kumar, and his associates in Mumbai and Delhi. The agency had seized several documents, electronic devices and bank accounts related to the case. The ED had also issued notices to some of the celebrities who had endorsed the app, asking them to join the probe.
The Mahadev app case is one of the several online betting cases that have come under the ED’s radar in recent times. The agency has also been probing other apps such as Dream11, MPL, RummyCircle and others for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED has claimed that these apps have been facilitating illegal cross-border transactions and siphoning off funds to offshore entities. The agency has also alleged that these apps have been evading taxes and duping customers by offering rigged games and unfair odds.
The online betting industry in India is largely unregulated and operates in a legal grey area. While some states have banned online gambling, others have allowed it with certain restrictions. The central government has not yet framed a uniform law to regulate online gaming and betting in the country.
Ranbir Kapoor Cuts His Fee Down By 50% To Improve Production Value Of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal
Ranbir Kapoor, who is known for his versatile and impactful performances, has reportedly taken a pay cut for his upcoming film Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of Kabir Singh fame. The actor, who usually charges around Rs 70 crore per film, has agreed to reduce his fee by more than half to support the producers Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who faced some challenges due to the delays in post-production and the rising costs of the film.
According to reports, Ranbir Kapoor is charging an upfront fee of Rs 30-35 crore for Animal, which is a gangster drama revolving around a troubled father-son relationship. The actor will get a share the profits of the film, if it does well at the box office. The amount of money that Ranbir Kapoor has foregone has been invested in enhancing the production value of the film, which is set to release in theatres on December 1, 2023, in five languages – Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
(Also read: Ranbir Kapoor Dances His Heart Out On Animal Wrap, Watch The Video)
Animal also stars Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna and Tripti Dimri in pivotal roles. The teaser of the film was released recently on Ranbir Kapoor’s birthday and received a positive response from the audience. The teaser showed Ranbir Kapoor’s character having a conversation with Rashmika Mandanna’s character about having children and his strained relationship with his father, played by Anil Kapoor. The teaser also featured Bobby Deol in a bare-chested avatar, which impressed many fans.
Ranbir Kapoor is one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood and has delivered some memorable hits such as Barfi, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Sanju and Rockstar. However, his post-pandemic theatrical track record has been mixed, with films like Shamshera and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar failing to impress the audience, while Brahmastra doing the only hit film but it was made on a massive budget. Animal is expected to be Ranbir Kapoor‘s biggest post-pandemic grosser and showcase his true potential as a star-actor.
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