Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has received a threatening extortion call from a person who claimed to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and demanded crores of rupees. Investigators are examining the caller’s voice against samples already available in police records.
The development comes soon after actor Tusshar Kapoor received a similar audio threat from a caller who identified himself as ‘Harry Boxer’. The Crime Branch’s technical team analysed that recording and compared it with official voice samples of Harry Boxer stored in its database.
The voices did not match, raising suspicion that the caller had falsely used the name of a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member while attempting to intimidate Kapoor and extort money. The voice comparison in Khurrana’s case is also being pursued as part of the investigation.
The threats have emerged amid heightened concern over the safety of Bollywood personalities. The situation followed a firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff, who was attacked while travelling in his car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18.
Shroff, 36, escaped unharmed, but his driver and a passer-by sustained injuries. Members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the shooting. Police have named Anil Pandit, an aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a wanted accused.
So far, 13 people, including the alleged shooters, have been arrested in connection with the case. The accused had allegedly conducted reconnaissance near the homes of several Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Film industry strengthens security arrangements
The firing has prompted actors and their security teams to review and reinforce protection measures. Ronit Roy, who operates a private security company, said there had been greater demand for security cover among celebrities, primarily as a preventive step.
Security personnel associated with celebrity protection have also confirmed that arrangements for their clients were strengthened after the incident.
Amitabh Bachchan was recently seen greeting fans from behind a bulletproof glass enclosure during his customary Sunday appearance outside his Juhu residence. His son Abhishek Bachchan remained nearby and monitored the security arrangements.
Security measures were also visible during Shah Rukh Khan’s birthday celebrations at Mannat on November 2. Police were deployed in large numbers, while the lane outside the residence was heavily guarded and fans were initially stopped from gathering near the bungalow.
Shah Rukh Khan later appeared at Mannat with his family to greet those waiting outside. Unlike his usual interactions, he maintained a greater distance from the crowd and waved to fans from the terrace instead of approaching the boundary wall or using the specially constructed staircase.
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