Cyberabad Police have registered a case against six prominent Tollywood actors—Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, and Nidhhi Agerwal—for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps.

The First Information Report (FIR), filed at Miyapur Police Station, also names 19 social media influencers, marking a significant escalation in Telangana’s crackdown on celebrity-driven promotion of online gambling platforms.

The action follows a complaint by Phanindra Sharma, a 32-year-old Miyapur resident, who accused the celebrities and influencers of promoting betting apps through advertisements and social media, contributing to financial distress among users. The FIR, lodged under Sections 318(4), 112, and 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Telangana Gaming Act and the IT Act, alleges that these promotions violate India’s stringent gambling laws, notably the Public Gambling Act of 1867.

This is the first instance of Tollywood actors being directly implicated in such a case, though Hyderabad and Cyberabad police have recently targeted social media influencers for similar offenses. Earlier this month, influencers like Harsha Sai and Bayya Sunny Yadav faced charges after individuals reported losses, including one victim who lost over Rs 13 lakh following betting app endorsements. The Miyapur case links specific actors to apps like Junglee Rummy (Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj), A23 (Vijay Deverakonda), Yolo 247 (Manchu Lakshmi), Fairplay (Pranitha), and Jeet Win (Nidhhi Agerwal).

Authorities claim these platforms exploit vulnerable youth, promising easy money and leading to addiction and ruin. The investigation continues, with police expected to summon the accused for questioning. This high-profile case underscores Telangana’s intensifying efforts to curb illegal betting, spotlighting the role of celebrity endorsements in amplifying its reach.