In recent weeks, the Telugu film industry has been shaken by a controversy involving several prominent actors, including Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and others.
These celebrities have come under scrutiny for allegedly promoting online gaming platforms that are now being investigated for illegal betting activities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), summoning these actors for questioning regarding their associations with these platforms.
Vijay Deverakonda breaks his silence on betting controversy
Vijay Deverakonda, known for his roles in films like Arjun Reddy and Geetha Govindam, appeared before the ED to address allegations concerning his endorsement of certain online gaming apps. In a statement, Deverakonda clarified that he had only promoted skill-based gaming platforms, which are legally permitted in various jurisdictions. He said, “Gaming applications and unlawful betting applications are distinct, so it’s important not to mix them up and these applications are completely authorized by the government.” Deverakonda expressed his commitment to cooperating fully with the authorities and urged the media to refrain from misrepresenting nature of his endorsements.
Why was Vijay Deverakonda questioned by the ED?
In March this year, a police case was filed in Hyderabad against 25 celebrities, including Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha, and Nidhhi Agerwal. They were accused of promoting illegal betting apps. The complaint mentioned that these apps involve huge amounts of money and are causing serious financial problems for many families, especially from the middle and lower-middle classes.
More about Vijay Deverakonda
Vijay was recently seen in the Telugu action-thriller, Kingdom, helmed by Jersey fame director Gowtham Tinnanuri. The film unfolds gripping tale of Suri, a police constable portrayed by Vijay, whose life spirals into chaos when he learns that his long-lost brother, Shiva (played by Satyadev), is entangled in a cross-border smuggling racket. Set in the 1990s, the story explores themes of brotherhood, justice, and personal sacrifice as Suri embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue his brother from the clutches of a criminal empire operating from Sri Lanka.
The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Bhagyashri Borse as the female lead, Venkatesh in a powerful negative role, and supporting actors like Ayyappa P. Sharma, Goparaju Ramana and Manish Chaudhari. The film was released on July 31st, currently stands at Rs 101.46 crore now in all languages.