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Tollywood drugs case: Actor Rana Daggubati appears before ED

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Rana-Daggubati

Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to a 2017 drug case.

The ‘Baahubali’ fame actor reached the ED office here around 10 a.m. and walked in as a posse of security personnel escorted him through a battery of media lensmen vying with each other to capture the moment.

Rana is likely to be questioned by ED sleuths about his bank details and financial transactions as part of the probe into suspected links of some celebrities with the accused involved in the case.

Rana is the fifth Tollywood personality to appear before ED. Director Puri Jagannadh and actors Charmee Kaur, Rakul Preet Singh and Nandu were questioned since August 31.

The ED had last month issued notices to 10 persons connected to Tollywood and two others including a private club manager as part of a money laundering probe linked to the case related to the smuggling of ‘Class A’ narcotic substances, including LSD and MDMA.

Nandu was questioned for more than eight hours on Tuesday. Main accused in the case Calvin Mascarenhas and two others were also grilled by the ED sleuths on Tuesday.

Actors Ravi Teja, Navdeep. Mumaith Khan, Tanish and Ravi Teja’s driver Srinivas have also been summoned by the ED in connection the drugs racket which was busted with the arrest of drug peddlers in 2017.

Rana and Rakul Preet did not figure in the list of Tollywood celebrities questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Telangana’s prohibition and excise department in 2017.

However, Rakul Preet was questioned by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai, last year in an alleged drugs nexus in Bollywood.

The drugs racket was busted on July 2, 2017 when customs officials arrested Calvin Mascarenhas, a musician, and two others and seized drugs worth Rs 30 lakh from their possession.

They had reportedly told the investigators that they are supplying drugs to film celebrities, software engineers, and even students of some corporate schools. Mobile numbers of some Tollywood celebrities were allegedly found in their contact lists.

The excise department had constituted SIT for a comprehensive probe. A total of 12 cases were registered, 30 people were arrested while 62 individuals including 11 people connected with Tollywood were examined by the SIT under section 67 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and section 161 of Criminal Procedure Code.

The SIT had collected blood, hair, nail and other samples from some of those who appeared before it for question and sent them for analysis.

The SIT filed charge sheet in eight out of 12 cases. It, however, gave clean chit to the film personalities who were questioned as part of the investigation.

Entertainment

War 2 Box Office Collection: Hrithik Roshan & Jr NTR Thank Fans As Movie Crosses ₹ 100 Crore Mark In 2 Days

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Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani starrer War 2 was released on Thursday. The film took an opening of Rs. 52 crore (all languages), and on its day 2, it showed a jump and minted Rs. 57.35 crore (all languages). In two days, the movie has collected Rs. 109.35 crore (all languages). Hrithik and Jr NTR on Saturday took to X to thank their fans for all the love they have given to the movie.

Hrithik tweeted, “In Kabir’s world, battles may be won.. but the war goes on. A character that came to life in 2019, has only fueled my fire as an Actor & Entertainer. Witnessing all your cheers & celebrations in cinema halls, only makes Kabir taller and my heart fuller. Kabir was and always will be one of my most cherished on-screen characters. Thank you for all your love & well-wishes for #War2 and Kabir (sic).”

Jr NTR posted on X, “I am seeing your love for #War2 and I love you back for it… Incredible to see the public support for our film which we made with a lot of passion. Let’s goooo!”

Kiara Advani also shared on Instagram, “Your love speaks the loudest… seeing your smiles, your cheers, your excitement fills our hearts with joy.. #War2 in cinemas (sic).”

War vs War 2 Box Office Collection

Well, overall, if we look at the numbers, they are good. But, if we compare War and War 2, the first instalment in Hindi itself had collected Rs. 51.60 crore, and the sequel on the first day collected Rs. 29 crore in Hindi. So, there’s a huge gap in the numbers.

With Jr NTR playing the parallel lead, War 2 is getting a good response in Telugu, and that’s why the overall numbers are good. But, if we only compare the Hindi box office numbers of War and War 2, then the latter’s collection is below par.

War 2 Review

War 2 has received mixed reviews from the critics. “and those invested in the YRF Spy Universe, this is a decent but not standout chapter. For others, it’s an overstuffed action entertainer that shines in moments but ultimately misses the knockout punch.”

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Entertainment

‘Strong Women Lift Each Other…’: Bipasha Basu REACTS To Mrunal Thakur’s Old Video Calling Her ‘Manly With Muscles’

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Actress Bipasha Basu has reacted to an old video of Mrunal Thakur from her Kumkum Bhagya days, now going viral, in which Thakur called Basu ‘manly with muscles’ and claimed she was ‘better’ than her. The body-shaming remarks have sparked major controversy, with many slamming Thakur for her comments.

Bipasha Basu Reacts To Mrunal Thakur Calling Her ‘Manly’

On Wednesday (August 13), Bipasha took to social media to share a quote that read, ‘Strong women lift each other up.’ Along with it, the actress penned a note that read: “Get those muscles beautiful ladies, we should be strong. Muscles help you attain, good physical and mental health forever! Bust the age old thought process that women should not look strong or be physically strong.”

Mrunal Thakur has not yet responded to the backlash surrounding her old video.

What Mrunal Thakur Said?

In the resurfaced clip, Mrunal can be seen chatting with her Kumkum Bhagya co-star Arjit about fitness, where Arjit playfully dares her to do a headstand, to which she jokingly replies that he could sit while she balanced on her head.

When he then challenges her to do push-ups, the actress says that he might be interested in marrying a strong, muscular woman, before remarking, “Do you want to marry a girl who is manly with muscles? Go marry Bipasha.” Further, she added, “Listen, I am far better than Bipasha.”

Mrunal Thakur, Dhanush’s Relationship

Meanwhile, Mrunal has also been making headlines for her alleged relationship with Tamil star Dhanush. The actress has now broken her silence on the rumours, clarifying that Dhanush is ‘just a good friend.’

During an interview with Only Kollywood, Mrunal was quizzed about her newfound closeness with Dhanush and that is when she finally decided to respond to it. “Dhanush is just a good friend to me,” she said.

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Entertainment

Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Warns Bollywood After Canada Café Attack, Targeting Kapil Sharma Over Salman Khan

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Mumbai: The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has escalated its threats following a second round of gunfire at comedian Kapil Sharma’s café, “Caps Café,” in Surrey, Canada. On Friday, the gang released an audio clip allegedly from Bishnoi’s close aide, Harry Boxer, claiming responsibility for the attack and linking it to Bollywood star Salman Khan’s appearance on the opening episode of Sharma’s Netflix show.

The incident occurred on Thursday when assailants fired at least 25 rounds at the café. The gang asserts the attack was in direct retaliation for Kapil Sharma inviting Salman Khan to launch “The Great Indian Kapil Show” Season 2.

In the menacing audio, Boxer warns: “Whoever works with Salman Khan will be finished by the Bishnoi gang — they will be killed.” He declared there would be no further warnings, stating that next time “bullets will be fired straight at the chest.” The message also vowed to unleash unprecedented chaos in Mumbai, specifically naming producers, directors, and actors as potential targets. “Anyone collaborating with Salman Khan will be responsible for their own death,” the voice threatened.

Following the release of the clip, Mumbai Police moved into high alert. The Crime Branch has begun investigating the recording while increasing security at Kapil Sharma’s Oshiwara residence. Multiple officers have been deployed outside his apartment complex, with regular patrols in the area. CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed for suspicious movements.

Sources confirmed Crime Branch officers visited Sharma’s home on Friday to question him about the threats. This was not their first interaction with the comedian. After the café was targeted for the first time in July, police had asked Sharma whether he had received extortion calls or threats from the Bishnoi gang — a claim he had denied at the time.

The second attack, combined with the new audio warning, has prompted authorities to investigate whether Bishnoi gang members have been conducting surveillance near Sharma’s home or shooting locations. Sources suggest that Sharma has now filed a formal complaint with local police, although he has not made a public statement.

The Bishnoi gang had also posted on social media on Thursday, taking responsibility for the Surrey shooting hours before the audio surfaced.

Kapil Sharma remains one of India’s most prominent entertainers. Host of the hugely popular The Kapil Sharma Show and its Netflix spin-off The Great Indian Kapil Show, he is regarded as the country’s highest-paid Hindi comedian. He first rose to fame in 2007 after winning The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Season 3, later making his Bollywood debut with Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (2015), followed by Firangi (2017) and Zwigato (2023).

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