MUMBAI: Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma has allegedly received multiple extortion calls demanding ₹1 crore, prompting swift action by the Mumbai Police, who arrested a man from West Bengal in connection with the case.
The accused, identified as Dilip Choudhary from North 24 Parganas, was picked up after Sharma reported the threats.
Seven Threat Calls in 48 Hours
Officials revealed that between September 22 and 23, Sharma received seven threatening phone calls. In these, Choudhary allegedly invoked the names of notorious gangsters Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar in an attempt to instill fear. Apart from calls, Sharma was also sent intimidating videos.
Crime Branch Steps In
The case was soon handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch, which tracked Choudhary’s movements and brought him to Mumbai. He has been remanded in police custody till September 30. Investigators are examining whether the accused had genuine links to the feared gangsters or was misusing their names for extortion.
Bishnoi Gang Connection Under Probe
Police said Sharma’s personal assistant had also received a call days earlier, allegedly from someone claiming affiliation with the Bishnoi gang, making similar ₹1 crore demands and issuing threats. Authorities are now examining both incidents to see if there is a link, though none has been established yet.
This comes after Sharma’s Kap’s Cafe in Surrey, Canada, was targeted in consecutive firing incidents in July and August this year. Following those attacks, Mumbai Police had already provided enhanced security to the comedian.
MNS Warning to Sharma’s Show
Separately, Sharma’s Netflix series The Great Indian Kapil Show has faced political heat after a guest referred to Mumbai as “Bombay.” Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Ameya Khopkar warned the makers, reminding them that the city’s official name was changed to Mumbai in 1995 and demanding that the show respect the state’s identity.
On the Work Front
Kapil Sharma remains one of India’s most popular comedians, known for Comedy Nights with Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show. His Netflix venture The Great Indian Kapil Show recently concluded its third season with Akshay Kumar as the finale guest. Sharma is also preparing for his next film, Anukalp Goswami’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, a sequel to his 2015 Bollywood debut.
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