New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with the Kapoor family who invited him to join them in celebrating cinema icon Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary. While speaking about the power of movies, PM Modi recounted an incident when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and veteran leader LK Advani went to watch a Raj Kapoor movie after a poll defeat.

“I remember the impact of films in those days. It was during the Jana Sangh era, and there was an election in Delhi. After the party lost, Advaniji and Atalji said, ‘What should we do now?’ Then they decided, ‘Let’s watch a movie.’ They went to watch Raj Kapoor’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi.'”

The Prime Minister also spoke about Raj Kapoor’s role in establishing India’s “soft power” all over the world. “In 1947, we had ‘Neel Kamal,’ and now as we approach 2047, it reflects the immense contribution of such a vast nation. Today, there is much talk about soft power in diplomacy, but back then, Raj Kapoor had already established India’s soft power in the world even before the world was coined,” he said.

Members of the Kapoor family, including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, were present during the interaction. The video shared by PMO also showed the Kapoor family sharing their experiences after meeting the Prime Minister.

PM Modi suggested the Kapoor family should capture the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films through visual format.

“Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” he said.

The film festival will celebrate the centenary of Raj Kapoor, one of the most iconic figures in Indian cinema, who passed away in 1988. It showcases 10 iconic Raj Kapoor films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas, with a ticket price of Rs 100. The film festival will include screenings of classics such as ‘Aag’, ‘Barsaat’, ‘Awaara’, ‘Shree 420’, and ‘Mera Naam Joker’.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with the Kapoor family in Delhi ahead of Raj Kapoor’s birth centenary. Even though many of the members of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor’s daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and his grandchildren were there at the meeting, the absence of Taimur and Jeh – the sons of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan – was noticed by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to “meet the third generation”.

Saif Ali Khan told PM Modi he is the first Prime Minister he has ever met.

“You are the first Prime Minister that I have met. Your energy is so good and you work so hard. I want to congratulate you on whatever you do. Thank you for opening your doors and for being accessible to us,” he said.

PM Modi then said that he had met his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and was hoping to meet the next generation.

“I had met your father and I thought today I will get to meet the third generation as well. But you didn’t bring them (par aap laye nahi),” the Prime Minister quipped.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, during the interaction, sought an autograph for Taimur and Jeh from PM Modi.

“We are deeply humbled and honoured to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us,” Kareena Kapoor expressed her gratitude for the special meeting.

The Prime Minister wrote a message for “Tim and Jeh” on a piece of paper.

The Kapoor family invited PM Modi for the Raj Kapoor Fim Festival which will showcase his 10 iconic films across 40 cities and 135 cinemas.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Kapoor family on Tuesday in Delhi and remembered the life and legacy of cinema icon Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor established India’s soft power in the world at a time when that word was not even coined, he said during a candid chat with the Kapoors.

“In the diplomatic world, we talk a lot about soft power. And at a time when this phrase didn’t even exist, Raj Kapoor sahab established India’s soft power all over the world. It was his big service to India,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister met Raj Kapoor’s daughter Rima Jain, daughter-in-law Neetu Kapoor and grandchildren – actors Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Aadar Jain and Armaan Jain.

Alia Bhatt and Saif Ali Khan were also present at the meeting.

Prime Minister, while talking abo the power of cinema, he narrated an incident about former Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani.

“In the Jan Sangh era, there were elections in Delhi and they lost the election. So Advani ji and Atal ji said, ‘We lost the elections, what should we do now? So let’s see a movie.’ “They went to see a movie and it was Raj Kapoor’s ‘Phir Subah Hogi’ (1958) and then there was a new morning,” he said.

He also recalled that during one of his China visits, the hosts were playing songs from Raj Kapoor’s movies.

“I asked my team to record it on a mobile and I sent it to Rishiji (Kapoor). And he was so happy,” PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Kapoor family yesterday extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 100th birth anniversary of legendary actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor on December 14

Actor Ranbir Kapoor says, “This is a special day for us. We enjoyed the… pic.twitter.com/fOBVlfLFYK

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2024

Prime Minister Modi also suggested that the global impact of Raj Kapoor and his films should be captured through visual format. “Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” he said.

During the meeting, Ranbir Kapoor on behalf of the Kapoor family, invited the Prime Minister for the Raj Kapoor Film Festival.

After the meeting, he said he will be grateful to PM Modi for interacting with the family.

“We had a lot of fun during our chat with the PM and we asked a lot of personal questions. He was very friendly with us. We were very nervous before the meeting but he was very good and made us comfortable and I really thank him,” he added.

Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “It was my dream to sit next to PM Modi and talk to him. His energy is so positive and he is truly a global leader.”

Alia Bhatt said it was a proud moment for the Kapoor family. “With the energy, kindness and the way he welcomed us and the way he spoke about Raj Kapoor ji, he gave a lot of ideas and suggestions about what more we can do to take his legacy forward and to educate the world about him. We really loved it,” she said.

“Can we do something, probably a film that captures Raj Kapoor’s imprint on the hearts and minds of people of Central Asia… He had a big impact on their lives in Central Asia and I think we should resurrect it and connect it with the new generation. We should do something to link this and I think it is possible,” PM Modi said.

Spanning 101 cinemas across 34 cities from December 13 to 15, the gala — organised by PVR INOX Limited and the Film Heritage Foundation — will be one of the most extensive retrospectives ever dedicated to Raj Kapoor’s filmography.

December 14, 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, an actor, editor, a director, and producer, known for classics such as “Aag”, “Awara”, “Barsaat”, “Shree 420”, and “Bobby”.

Actor Tamannaah Bhatia has been summoned in connection with the promotion of a subsidiary app of Mahadev online gaming and betting application, sources said on Thursday.

The actor has been summoned by the Maharashtra cyber cell for allegedly promoting the viewing of the Indian Premier Matches (IPL) matches on the Fairplay betting app.

Ms Bhatia, who has acted in films like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Lust Stories 2’, has been summoned as a witness and asked to appear before the cyber cell next week.

Some IPL matches were streamed illegally on the app, as per the complaint by a broadcaster.

The Maharashtra Cyber Cell has already recorded statements of singer Badshah and the managers of actors Sanjay Dutt and Jacqueline Fernandez in the case.

FairPlay Betting App

FairPlay is a betting exchange platform that offers a wide variety of sports and entertainment leisure gambling.

According to the app’s website, Cricket is the most loved sport on FairPlay, followed by Football and Tennis.

All sports matches are streamed live on FairPlay for the player’s ease to “watch and win at the same time”, the website said.

FairPlay’s Mahadev Betting App Connection

FairPlay is a subsidiary application of the Mahadev online gaming app, which also provides platforms for illegal betting in different live games like Cricket, Poker, Badminton, Tennis, Football card games, and chance games.

The Mahadev betting app made headlines last year when actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who have appeared in ads for the app, were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning.

The app came under the crosshairs of probe agencies after a Rs 200-crore wedding in the UAE in February last year, paid for entirely in cash.

Mahadev Online betting app was operated by Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal from Dubai. Both of them belong to Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai.

The company used to get new customers by regularly creating new websites and closed groups on chat apps. They would often run paid advertisements on social media apps and try to get people to text their numbers to earn profits.

The ED, which has now been investigating the Mahadev app-linked money laundering case for more than a year, alleged in the past that its probe has shown involvement of various high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh.

The projected proceeds of crime in this case are about Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.

New Delhi:

Gold bars, jewellery, and cash amounting to a total of Rs 417 crore is what the Enforcement Directorate recovered last month when they conducted searches at 39 locations linked to the Mahadev betting app. The app made headlines last week when Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who have appeared in ads for the app, were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning.

The probe agency has made four arrests in the case, while the two masterminds and promoters of the app are based in Dubai.

The Mahadev app came under the crosshairs of probe agencies only after a Rs 200-crore wedding in the UAE this February, paid for entirely in cash.

Here’s a look at how the app managed to bypass rules and flummox authorities to amass a fortune:

Luring In New Customers

Mahadev Online betting app was operated by Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal from Dubai. Both of them belong to Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai.

The company used to get new customers by regularly creating new websites and closed groups on chat apps. They would often run paid advertisements on social media apps and try to get people to text their numbers to earn profits. ED in its complaint said that the numbers could be contacted only through WhatsApp.

One of Mahadev’s customer care executives would then guide the person on creating a new User ID, after which they would be provided two numbers. One would be used to deposit money into their account and make bets, while the other one was for contacting customer care and encashing their accumulated points or money.  

All the accounts being used to collect or payout money were benami accounts which had been opened fraudulently.

All the bets and games that Mahadev ran would be rigged in a manner that the company would not lose money. Most new users would continue pooling money into their accounts after making profits initially, but in the long run a user would almost always end up incurring heavy losses.

Network Of Call Centres

Not only were the company’s illegal bank accounts spread out, but so were their call centres. Mahadev had opened hundreds of call centres across 4 countries – Malaysia, Thailand, India, and UAE – which would run 24*7 to create subsidiary apps and websites and interact with customers.

ED’s probe revealed that the betting app would witness transactions of thousands of crores on a daily basis. The company was making a profit of Rs 200 crore per day, the probe agency claimed.

Nexus Of Police, Bureaucrats And Politicians

The investigation has shown that the Mahadev Online Book App is run from a central head office in the United Arab Emirates, officials said. It operates by franchising “Panel/Branches” to their known associates on a 70-30 profit ratio, the agency said.

Large-scale hawala operations are done to siphon off the proceeds of betting to offshore accounts.

About 30 call centres were opened in major Indian cities, and these were being handled by Anil Dammani and Sunil Dammani, two very close associates of Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. Both the Dammani brothers have been arrested by the ED.

Police, politicians, and bureaucrats were given a stake in keeping this syndicate running.

One of Anil Dammani’s tasks was to send some of the money coming through Hawala to the police, politicians, and bureaucrats who were on board. This ensured that the app did not come under the radar of the probe agencies.

During interrogation, Anil Dammani said that in the last two years, he along with his brother, had done illegal transactions worth Rs 60 to 65 crore.

Bollywood Connection

Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Kapil Sharma, Hina Khan, and several other actors have been called in for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate. The reason: They performed at the Dubai wedding in February and were paid through hawala transactions.

ED said that 17 Bollywood celebrities were brought by a chartered plane to Dubai to perform at the wedding. All of them were allegedly paid crores of rupees but through hawala.

Ranbir Kapoor is also accused of promoting one of the apps that was run by the syndicate.

Authorities said that the actors are being questioned to help provide insights into the source of the money they had received from the betting app.

New Delhi:

The lawyer for the Enforcement Directorate has said that Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has requested one week time to appear before the ED regarding the summon issued to him in connection with the Mahadev betting app case.

Speaking to ANI, ED lawyer Saurabh Pandey said, “Mahadev app is a betting portal and it is a case of money laundering. Raipur ED office started the probe and four people were arrested. As the probe proceeded further, the names of many people came to light, and we issued summons to a few people. Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor’s name has also come up so we issued a summon under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), he didn’t appear today but through email, he requested one week time. We will see what needs to be done further.”

“The procedure is that if one does not appear on the called date then we issue the summon again,” he added.

According to sources Ranbir Kapoor had allegedly carried out promotional activities for the Mahadev betting app. In this case, ED also suspects several other A-lister celebrities and certain sports personalities who promoted the app

A lavish wedding held this February in the United Arab Emirates caught the attention of the Enforcement Directorate as the entire money-around Rs 200 crore- spent on the bash was paid entirely in cash.

At his wedding held in Ras Al-Khaimah, Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of the Mahadev Online Book Betting app, hired private jets to ferry family members from Nagpur to the UAE and paid celebrities from the Indian film industry to perform, according to the ED.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also summoned comedian Kapil Sharma and actor Huma Qureshi in connection with the Mahadev betting app case.

Mahadev Online Book Betting app is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites to enrol new users, create user IDs and the laundering of money through a layered web of benami bank accounts.

ED had stated that it has successfully identified other major players involved in the money laundering operations of the Mahadev online booking app.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in a case involving an online gaming app. He has been asked to be present before the agency on Friday. 

Here’s what we know about this developing story so far:

 – Ranbir Kapoor appeared in the promotions for the Mahadev Online Book App. The ED has claimed that he was given a large amount of money in exchange, which was from the proceeds of a crime. 

– The agency said 12 other actors, from Bollywood and Tollywood, are on the agency’s radar. At least 100 influencers are also under the scanner and all of these people may be summoned as part of the investigation. 

– The promoters hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh but the app was being run from the company’s headquarters in UAE. It has call centres in Sri Lanka, Nepal and UAE.

– The agency claimed the Mahadev app is part of an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for illegal betting websites to enrol new users, create user IDs and launder money through a layered web of benami bank accounts.  

– An ED official said the promoters ran 4-5 such apps, which have been raking in profits of Rs 200 crore every day. 

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a case involving the Mahadev Gaming App. The agency is investigating alleged money laundering in the online betting app, which is illegal in India, that is being run by two UAE-based kingpins. Mr Kapoor appeared in a few advertisements promoting the platform. The ED has conducted multiple raids across many cities to probe the flow of money through the Mahadev Gaming app. ED has said that it is an umbrella syndicate that promotes betting.

What is the Mahadev Gaming app?

It provides platforms for illegal betting in different live games like Poker, card games, chance games, badminton, tennis, football as well as betting on cricket, along with the provision for playing a number of card games like Teen Patti (a card game), Poker, Dragon Tiger, and virtual cricket games.

The people who maintain Mahadev app operate a number of closed groups on various instant messaging platforms. They also run 4-5 similar platforms and reportedly make a profit of Rs 200 crore every day.

The modus operandi

They advertise contact number over websites and lure people to play to earn profits. Such numbers can only be contacted on platforms like WhatsApp.

Once a user contacts the given number, he/she will be provided two separate contact numbers. One of them is for depositing money and collecting points in user IDs used to make bets, while the second number is for contacting the website to encash the accumulated points in the designated IDs.

The IDs are generally created on multiple website.

All the games are rigged in a manner that overall the panel owners will not lose money and despite initial profits to the user, ultimately, they are likely to lose huge sums.

Who are the promoters of the Mahadev App?

Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal from Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai are the main promoters of Mahadev app and are running their operations from Dubai.

The app is operated by several “panel/branches that are sold by Chandrakar and Uppal like a small franchise.

Payments are done by bank accounts that are either opened fraudulently or are loaned for commission.

There was report a few weeks ago that Chandrakar spent Rs 200 crore on his wedding in Dubai. He reportedly leased a private aircraft to fly his family and friends from Nagpur to Dubai for the wedding.

ED raids against Mahadev App

The agency raided the founders of the Mahadev Gambling App’s offices in many cities, including Kolkata, Bhopal, and Mumbai, and seized assets worth crores.

It also searched the premises of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political adviser and two Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) alleging that “high ranking officials connected with the Chief Minister’s Office” in Chhattisgarh received kickbacks to allow an illegal gaming app to run its operations in the state.