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MUMBAI: Some of Bollywood’s biggest players are being called into question in an ever-expanding drug investigation by federal agencies that has shocked India’s beleaguered film industry and dominated prime-time news headlines. audience.
Officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have been investigating alleged drug use in Bollywood for the past month in connection with the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a popular actor who was found dead at his residence in June.
The NCB is scheduled to question actress Deepika Padukone, one of the best-known names in the industry, on Saturday (September 26), Indian media reported. Officials at NCB’s Mumbai office did not respond to calls from Reuters.
Padukone, 34, one of the industry’s highest-paid stars, was seen landing in Mumbai on Thursday night, prior to questioning on Saturday, according to local television news. Padukone or her representatives were not immediately available for comment.
The NCB has already questioned several well-known people related to the industry this week in Mumbai, including producers, talent managers and a fashion designer.
The investigation is aimed at unearthing a possible link between the film industry and drug trafficking, an Indian law official told Reuters.
“We don’t know who’s next. It’s scary,” said a Bollywood producer, who declined to be named, adding that it was feared that more big names could appear in the investigation.
The 191 billion rupee ($ 2.59 billion) Indian film industry, of which Mumbai-based Bollywood forms a major part, has been struggling with a lean year as cinemas continue to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mumbai police initially reported that the Rajput’s death was accidental and was branded a suicide by local media, but the federal police agency is now investigating whether there was any foul play.
Earlier this month, the NCB arrested actress Rhea Chakraborty, who had been dating the Rajput at the time of her death, for being “active in a drug syndicate related to drug supplies,” according to a copy of her order. of bail.
Chakraborty and his brother Showik are currently in jail in Mumbai.
