Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has reportedly received a threatening audio message from an unidentified person claiming to be associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. The sender allegedly demanded several crores of rupees from the actor while invoking the gang’s name. Mumbai Police are examining the audio message and attempting to identify the individual responsible.
The incident has raised fresh concerns over alleged extortion attempts targeting members of the Hindi film industry, particularly as other Bollywood personalities have reportedly received similar threats in recent days.
Threatening Audio Message Sent
According to reports published on November 4, Khurrana received an audio message in which the sender allegedly identified himself as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and demanded a substantial sum of money. The threatening communication reportedly sought several crores of rupees, although the exact amount demanded has not been independently established.
The use of the gang’s name has raised concerns, particularly given its alleged involvement in previous threats and attacks targeting prominent personalities. However, investigators are treating the sender’s claimed identity with caution, as invoking the name of a criminal gang does not establish that the individual is actually associated with it.
According to information attributed to police sources, investigators are examining the audio recording and attempting to establish the sender’s identity. They are also looking into whether the individual has any genuine connection with the gang or is impersonating one of its members. No detailed public statement from Khurrana or his representatives was available at the time of reporting.
Bollywood Under Threat
The latest development follows a similar incident involving actor Tusshar Kapoor, who reportedly received an extortion threat demanding ₹5 crore from an individual claiming to be Harry Boxer, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
According to a report by The Times of India published on November 3, Kapoor’s team received a threatening audio message, following which the actor alerted Mumbai Police. The matter was subsequently handed over to the Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Cell for investigation.
In Kapoor’s case, the Crime Branch’s technical team examined the audio recording and compared the sender’s voice with available recordings of Harry Boxer. The preliminary analysis reportedly found no match, leading investigators to suspect that an unidentified individual may have impersonated the gang member to intimidate the actor and demand money. Police were also reportedly examining whether artificial intelligence (AI) tools could have been used to imitate the voice. No FIR had been registered in the case at the time of the report.
These incidents come against the backdrop of heightened security concerns in the Hindi film industry following a shooting incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff’s vehicle in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18. Shroff escaped unhurt, while his driver and a passer-by reportedly sustained injuries. The incident was subsequently linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang through claims circulated online, which investigators have been examining.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Threats, intimidation and extortion have no place in a society that values safety, dignity and freedom. Public personalities, like every other citizen, deserve to pursue their professional and personal lives without fear of violence or coercion. At the same time, it is important not to attribute criminal acts to particular groups or individuals without verified evidence, as unsubstantiated claims can create unnecessary panic and deepen public anxiety. Law enforcement agencies must investigate such threats promptly, identify those responsible and ensure accountability through due process. The media, too, has a responsibility to distinguish verified facts from allegations while reporting on sensitive cases. How can society and law enforcement work together to ensure that threats and intimidation do not become normalised?
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