Actor Rana Daggubati recently appeared at the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office in Hyderabad for questioning over an alleged illegal betting/gaming app case. After his interrogation, Rana addressed the media emphasising the importance of responsible communication in the gaming world.
He said, “We are going to use the right ways to communicate the right message about gaming and gaming apps. The legalities will be completed later. But I am here to do whatever is needed to help spread the message.”
This investigation follows an FIR filed earlier this year by the Telangana police against 25 celebrities and social media influencers. The list includes well-known names such as Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi.
The case was lodged at Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad following a petition by 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma who raised concerns about the promotion of illegal betting platforms through social media.
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Several celebrities have clarified their roles in such endorsements. Vijay Deverakonda’s team stated that the actor’s involvement was strictly as a brand ambassador for skill-based games. This according to them had limit to regions where online skill-based games have legal permission. The statement emphasised, “His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted.”
Meanwhile, veteran actor Prakash Raj took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his past association with a gaming app. He revealed that in 2016, he did an advertisement for a gaming platform but later realised it didn’t align with his values. “Within a few months, my conscience, maybe it was legal but I thought it was not right, led me to stop. When they wanted to renew the contract, I said no,” he shared.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Rana Daggubati is also making headlines for his next big move in cinema. His production company, Spirit Media, has announced a Hindi adaptation of Booker Prize-winning author Aravind Adiga’s acclaimed novel ‘Last Man in Tower’. The film will feature powerhouse actor Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role. Director Ben Rekhi is on board to helm the project.