Fear linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang is reportedly spreading across Bollywood once again. After earlier incidents involving Salman Khan and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, a new threat has now targeted Salman’s brother-in-law and actor Aayush Sharma.
According to reports, Aayush Sharma recently received a threatening email demanding a large amount of money. The email was reportedly sent through ProtonMail, and its authenticity has been confirmed by Mumbai Police Crime Branch. Investigators suspect the message may be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Police sources say the sender claimed to be a member of the Bishnoi gang and demanded a ransom of several crores. The message reportedly warned that if the payment was not made within a specific time, Sharma could face serious consequences. However, neither Salman Khan nor Aayush Sharma has yet filed a formal written complaint regarding the threat.
Authorities also revealed that the extortion demand was made through cryptocurrency. The sender used ProtonMail, a service known for strong privacy protection, making it more difficult to identify the person behind the email. Cybercrime teams are now working to trace the sender’s identity and location.
A senior police official said the Crime Branch is in contact with the actor’s family and is taking necessary legal steps. Initially, investigators believed the attempt might not be linked to any underworld group. However, according to reports, the sender later claimed affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police are currently verifying whether that claim is genuine or if someone used the gang’s name for intimidation.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is treating the matter seriously, as several Bollywood celebrities have recently received threats believed to be linked to extortion attempts. Authorities suspect the main motive behind such threats is financial gain.
Earlier, gunshots were reportedly fired outside Rohit Shetty’s residence, with responsibility allegedly claimed by the Bishnoi gang. Actor Ranveer Singh also reportedly received a threatening voice message from an unidentified person. These incidents have created concern within the Bollywood industry.
Over the past few years, several leading actors, producers, and business figures connected to Bollywood have reported receiving extortion threats. Salman Khan himself has been targeted multiple times, prompting increased security around his residence.
Following the recent incidents, Federation of Western Cine Employees (FWICE) has written to Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. In the letter, the organization said many prominent figures in film, television, and digital media have reportedly received threats, creating serious security concerns and fear within the industry.
The federation urged the state government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of industry members and address the growing threats.
