Vijay D, Rana, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Nidhhi Booked in Betting Apps Case

In an industry where stardom is often synonymous with influence, the power of celebrity endorsements is undeniable. However, when that influence leads people down a risky path, the consequences can be severe and that is what happening with IPS officer VC Sajjanar cracking down on those celebs who are promoting betting apps.

The Telugu film industry is now grappling with a major controversy as many as 25 popular actors who have massive fan-following on social media, including Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Niddhi Aggerwal, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Ananya Nagella and 'social media warrior' Prakash Raj— face legal action for promoting illegal betting apps. The Miyapur police have registered cases against 25 celebrities following complaints that these promotions misled users, resulting in financial losses.

As the investigation deepens, authorities are not just questioning the actors but also scrutinizing the betting platforms themselves, such as Junglee Rummy, A23, and FairPlay, which are now under the scanner for money laundering and tax violations. This crackdown gained momentum after IPS officer VC Sajjanar launched an awareness campaign, cautioning youth against the dangers of online gambling. Already close to 11 social media influencers were sent notices and called for questioning, while some have turned up at Punjagutta police station today along with their lawyers. With multiple cases now filed under the Telangana Gaming Act and the IT Act, the legal battle is set to unfold in the coming weeks and crumble the 'influencing' circuit.

Social media is abuzz with discussions, not just about the legal implications but also about the ethical responsibility of celebrities. Film and TV stars like Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Soundarya Rajan, Vasantha Krishna, Shobha Shetty (Bigg Boss fame), Amrutha Choudhary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu (Dhee fame), Paddhu Padmavati, and others are now caught in the storm, because it has come out they made crores of money by promoting these betting apps on their YouTube channels and Instagram pages. The question remains: Did they knowingly endorse a harmful platform, or were they unaware of the potential consequences but just fell for the quick and huge bucks they could make out? With precedents of influencers being held accountable for misleading promotions, this case could set new standards for digital endorsements in India.

With more names likely to be included in the following days in this case under sections 318 (4) of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita, 3, 3 (A), and 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act and 66D of the IT Act 2008, the industry might find itself at a crossroads. Will this case lead to stricter regulations for celebrity endorsements, or will it fade into the long list of fleeting controversies like the Drugs case earlier? Wait and watch.