Actor Tusshar Kapoor received a threatening phone call on November 3 demanding an extortion payment of 5 crore rupees. The caller identified himself as Harry Boxer and claimed to be an operative belonging to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Following the development, the Mumbai Crime Branch initiated a thorough investigation into the call. The incident has intensified concerns surrounding the safety of high-profile entertainment figures in Mumbai, prompting authorities to enhance security arrangements for Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, and Aamir Khan.
While this marks the first instance of Tusshar Kapoor being targeted in an extortion and threat case, his sister, producer Ekta Kapoor, previously navigated intense controversies and personal threats. Approximately six years ago, in the year 2020, Ekta Kapoor faced severe legal and public backlash triggered by the themes depicted in one of her digital productions.
Controversy over armed forces portrayal in web series
The controversy emerged around Ekta Kapoor's web series titled XXX: Uncensored 2. A section of viewers raised strong objections to how Indian soldiers, patriotic sentiments, and national emblems were depicted across certain sequences. Critics claimed that the representation showed disrespect toward military personnel and their families.
The criticism quickly spilled over into digital platforms, triggering heavy harassment across social media. On X, users targeted Ekta Kapoor with abusive, explicit messages. The hostile reaction soon escalated into direct criminal intimidation, with the producer receiving death and rape threats online.
Police complaint lodged and legal challenges mounted
The situation escalated further when social media influencer Hindustani Bhau lodged an FIR against Ekta Kapoor and her mother, Shobha Kapoor. Shobha Kapoor was named in the police complaint as she had served as a co-producer on the project.
Following the filing of the FIR, Ekta Kapoor posted a video statement explaining her position. She stated that if the content of her show had hurt any individual sentiments, she had no reservations about issuing an apology to the Indian Army and the spouses of armed forces personnel.
Defiance against abuse and threats
In her video response, Ekta Kapoor criticized the conduct of the complainant without taking his name directly. She pointed out that an individual presenting himself as a patriot was directing abusive language at her mother. She addressed the severe nature of the harassment, stating that she and her mother were being subjected to filthy abuse and violent threats.
Emphasizing that she would not be intimidated into silence, Ekta Kapoor insisted on pursuing the matter to its root, stating that backing down would leave other women vulnerable to similar harassment in the future. Throughout the ordeal, her family remained firmly beside her, while a large section of fans, particularly women, offered vocal public support.
