₹1.48cr scam: How TV stars got duped by energy-drink brand
What's the story
In a shocking turn of events, an Indore-based energy drink company has allegedly cheated 25 celebrities, including TV stars Kushal Tandon, Tejasswi Prakash, Ankita Lokhande, Abhishek Bajaj, Jay Bhanushali, Adrija Roy, and Aayush Sharma of ₹1.48 crore.
The actors were reportedly promised payment for promoting the drink via Instagram Reels last year but were never compensated.
Roshaan Garry Bhinder, the founder of the talent management agency that brokered the stars-brand deal, has now filed police complaint against the brand's owners.
Celebs duped
Everything you need to know about the energy drink scam
According to Hindustan Times, Sky63 Energy Drinks scammed 25 TV celebrities by failing to pay them for social media promotions.
The company, allegedly run by Tanish Chhajed and Manu Shrivastav, hired stars like Tandon, Lokhande, and Bhanushali through Ayman Entertainment.
All the hired actors uploaded Reels with an assurance of payment after 35 days. However, the cheques given by Sky63 bounced, leaving both the celebrities and agency owner Bhinder unpaid.
Fraud exposure
Tandon 1st to expose alleged fraud
Actor Tandon, who first blew the lid off the alleged fraud in November, told Mid-Day that he was approached by Bhinder for the endorsement.
"We had to make a Reel on Instagram. Roshaan told me the payment would be made within a month [of doing the job], but I didn't receive any payment even after three months. Roshaan then gave me a check, which bounced," he recounted, adding that Bhinder later admitted the brand hadn't paid her either.
Payment
Tandon was 'probably the only one' to be paid
Tandon further claimed that he cautioned the brand's owner, Chhajed, that he'd post on social media about the unpaid dues.
"I was the first to post about the fraud. When [Chhajed] requested me to remove the post, I said, 'Give me my fees and I'll remove it,' which he did. I'm probably the only one to be paid," he said.
Other actors
Other actors were not so fortunate; cricketer link
Shiv Shakti actor Arjun Bijlani was lucky enough to not fall for the scam. He was told the brand belonged to cricketer Suryakumar Yadav and when he wanted to confirm it with Yadav, Chhajed advised him against it.
Jubilee Talkies actor Bajaj wasn't as fortunate. "I was promised payment within a month, but it's been six months now," he said.