Shadows over Bollywood: The Bishnoi Gang’s Escalating Campaign of Intimidation
The glitz and glamour of Mumbai’s film industry have been eclipsed by a chilling wave of threats as the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang expands its crosshairs beyond its traditional targets. As of February 14, 2026, the entertainment world remains on high alert following a series of fresh, sophisticated threats directed at Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh and hit-filmmaker Rohit Shetty.
This escalation marks a strategic shift for the syndicate, moving from targeting individual icons to threatening the broader ecosystem of the industry, including support staff and families.
The Extortion Demand: “Harry Boxer” and the ₹10 Crore ultimatum
The current crisis began in early February 2026, when a manager for Ranveer Singh received a WhatsApp voice note demanding an extortion sum exceeding ₹10 crore. The caller identified himself as Harry Boxer (Hari Chand Jaat), a former boxing coach from Jaipur turned high-ranking operative for the Bishnoi gang.
Boxer, who is believed to be operating from an overseas location via VPN, reportedly challenged the manager to verify his identity through YouTube clips of his previous threats to establish the “authenticity” of the demand. The Mumbai Crime Branch, currently analyzing the audio, is investigating whether the clip is genuine or a sophisticated AI-generated deepfake, a growing concern for digital security in 2026.
“Fall in Line”: The Chilling Threat to Staff and Families
On Friday, February 13, a second and more sinister audio message surfaced. In this recording, the gang explicitly targeted both Ranveer Singh and director Rohit Shetty, following a recent firing incident outside Shetty’s Juhu residence.
The message was not just a demand for money but a psychological tactic of terror. The speaker alleged that Ranveer Singh had “gone back on his word” regarding a previous commitment and issued a warning that would resonate with any employer:
“We have complete details of every manager and every person who works with you… where they live, when they leave for office, when they return. We will not tell you anything directly. We will start targeting the people working under you. Then you will come to your senses.”
This shift targeting the “soft underbelly” of a star’s life rather than the star themselves has sent shockwaves through the industry. By threatening the families and residences of managers and assistants, the gang aims to isolate celebrities from their professional networks.
The Context: A Pattern of Transnational Crime
The Bishnoi gang’s influence in 2026 is no longer confined to the borders of India. The same operative, Harry Boxer, recently claimed responsibility for a firing incident in Portugal and was previously linked to an attack on a cafe in Canada owned by comedian Kapil Sharma in late 2025.
The gang’s historical “vendetta” against Salman Khan remains the primary driver of their Bollywood operations. In this latest round of threats, Boxer warned that anyone collaborating with or supporting Khan would be considered a legitimate target. This “guilt by association” strategy has effectively turned the industry into a minefield for actors and producers.
Security Response and Industry Anxiety
In response to the threats, Mumbai Police have significantly bolstered security outside the residences of the Dhurandhar star and Rohit Shetty.
- Armed Guards: Ranveer Singh and wife Deepika Padukone have reportedly deployed six private armed security personnel at their housing society, leading to some friction with the society’s managing committee over the presence of weapons in common areas like gyms and play zones.
- FIRs and Arrests: Following the firing at Rohit Shetty’s home, police arrested five suspects believed to have links to Shubham Lonkar, another absconding Bishnoi operative.
| Target | Recent Incident | Reported Operative |
| Ranveer Singh | ₹10 Crore extortion & staff threats | Harry Boxer |
| Rohit Shetty | Firing incident at Juhu residence | Shubham Lonkar |
| Aayush Sharma | Threatening email (Feb 11, 2026) | Lawrence Bishnoi Gang |
| Salman Khan | Ongoing death threats | Lawrence Bishnoi / Goldy Brar |
The Future: A High-Stakes Standoff
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, despite its leader being incarcerated, continues to demonstrate an uncanny ability to coordinate global operations. Their use of social media screenshots and audio clips, a “signature” modus operandi serves as a digital calling card designed to maintain a constant state of fear.
As the Mumbai Crime Branch and central agencies collaborate on technical analysis to trace these overseas calls, the Hindi film industry faces a grim reality. The “stars” are no longer just fighting for the box office; they are fighting to protect the lives of everyone in their orbit.
With the Bishnoi syndicate officially listed as a terrorist entity by several international bodies as of late 2025, the stakes have evolved from local gang warfare to a matter of national security.
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