The film industry has often been a soft target for the underworld and now the television industry has joined the list. Recently, the producers of popular reality show "Bigg Boss 9" allegedly received threat calls from the underworld.
Endemol India, the makers of "Bigg Boss 9", received extortion calls from the underworld, according to Business of Cinema. Anand Chavan, who handles the contestants list at Endemol India, received the call from gangster Suresh Pujari demanding crores of Rupees. At first, Anand thought it was a prank, but when he received death threats, he realised that it was a serious issue.
The daily further reported that Anand negotiated on the amount, but nothing has been finalised yet. The makers have also filed an FIR under section 383, 386, & 387, 504 IPC, Business of Cinema reported.
"The Endemol India who are the producers of Bigg Boss show, have received extortion calls amounting to crores of rupees. Bigg Boss is a biggest television reality show and it comes as a shock when such show is under a watch of underworld," the daily quoted a source as saying.
In the past, Bollywood celebrities have often become a target of the underworld. In 2014, Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan and Mahesh Bhatt were on the hit list of underworld don Ravi Pujari.
A member of Pujari's gang, who was arrested along with 12 others in 2014, revealed that the don was planning to attack and scare Bollywood celebrities. The arrested gang members had been asked to open fire at Shah Rukh Khan's bungalow "Mannat", Red Chillies Office, and director Farah's home to scare them so that they give the overseas right to Pujari's aide in New Jersey.
