Mumbai: Bollywood is once again under the shadow of fear after actor Aayush Sharma, Salman Khan’s brother-in-law, allegedly received a threat email from a sender claiming to be linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This development comes just a day after Ranveer Singh was reportedly threatened through a WhatsApp voice note, raising serious concerns about the safety of celebrities in Mumbai.
According to Mumbai Police, Aayush received the threatening email via Proton Mail on Wednesday, February 11. Although no formal complaint has been filed yet, the Mumbai Crime Branch has initiated an investigation to verify the authenticity of the message. The police are now looking into the question of whether the email is authentic or it is an effort to cause panic. With the messaging services of Proton Mail and the VPN-based messaging, the sender can see the identity concealed, which is making the tracing of the sender difficult.
Threats Linked to Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Under Scanner
The sender of the email claimed connections with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has repeatedly issued threats to Salman Khan and people close to him. The hostility traces back to the 1998 blackbuck hunting case during the shooting of Hum Saath-Saath Hain in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community regards the blackbuck as sacred and ever since, Salman Khan has been on the radar of the gang.
Police officials revealed that similar methods were used in both Aayush Sharma’s and Ranveer Singh’s cases to conceal the identity of the sender. Whereas Aayush was informed of the threat via email, Ranveer was informed using a WhatsApp voice note sent using a VPN. There was also an alleged demand of several crores in the case of Ranveer speculating of an attempt of extortion.
Ranveer Singh, who recently delivered a massive blockbuster with Dhurandhar, is believed to have been targeted due to the film’s commercial success. Police speculate that the same gang may have been responsible of both threats, but the investigations are still in progress.
Series of Incidents Raise Security Concerns in Bollywood
These are threats following a sensational shooting event in the residence of filmmaker Rohit Shetty in the Juhu locality in Mumbai. Five rounds fired at his home by unidentified shooters rocked the film industry last week. Shubham Lonkar, an alleged associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, is suspected to be the mastermind behind the firing, as well as the murder of politician Baba Siddique, who was gunned down in October 2024 in what police described as a planned contract killing.
Following such frequent cases, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has addressed Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting an immediate meeting to address the safety of artists, technicians and workers working in the entertainment industry. The association has taken the issue of increasing threats seriously and required more security of the film personalities.
About Aayush Sharma and His Bollywood Journey
For the unversed, Aayush Sharma married Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan in November 2014. The couple has two children son Ahil born in 2016 and daughter Ayat born in 2019. It is interesting to note that Ayat shares her birthday date with her famous uncle Salman Khan.
Aayush has to date starred in three films on the professional front, which are Loveyatri, Antim, and Ruslaan. All three movies have not done well at the box office despite the high expectations.
As investigations continue, Mumbai Police have assured that every angle is being explored seriously. The series of threats to various celebrities within a limited period of time once again has raised questions of the necessity of further tightening the belt and expediency in curbing organised crimes with the film industry being the target.
Also Read | Ranveer Singh Receives Threat Call: Mumbai Police Launch Probe, Security Tightened at Actor’s Residence
