In a startling turn of events ahead of the Bigg Boss 19 grand finale, Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh has reportedly received a threat call from the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The caller, claiming to be associated with the gang, warned Singh against sharing the stage with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who hosts the show.
The incident occurred on Saturday, as Singh was in Lucknow preparing for his performance at the finale. According to reports, the caller, who contacted Singh from an unknown number, demanded a large sum of money and threatened "serious consequences" if his demands were not met. The caller allegedly warned Singh that if he chose to stand beside Salman Khan on stage, he "would not be able to work again in the future".
Pawan Singh's team has promptly informed security agencies about the threat. Police have initiated a technical investigation, analyzing call detail records (CDRs), location tracking, and network analysis to trace the origin of the call. Security around the actor has been heightened as a precaution. Despite the threat, Singh is expected to participate in the Bigg Boss finale as planned. Special security arrangements, including additional police force, a bulletproof enclosure, and private security agencies, were put in place at the venue.
This is not the first time that Salman Khan has been targeted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The gang's animosity towards Khan stems from the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, in which Khan was accused of killing a blackbuck during a film shoot in Rajasthan. The Bishnoi community considers blackbucks sacred, and Lawrence Bishnoi has repeatedly stated that Khan insulted their faith and must be punished. Khan has received multiple threats from the Bishnoi gang over the years, leading to enhanced security measures, including Y+ category security with 11 personnel at all times. In April 2024, shots were fired outside Khan's residence, resulting in further security upgrades such as a bulletproof balcony and high-resolution cameras.
Pawan Singh, a prominent figure in the Bhojpuri film industry and a BJP leader, was already under heightened security, having been granted Y-category protection by the Ministry of Home Affairs in October following an Intelligence Bureau report highlighting potential risks. The recent threat has further intensified concerns within the Bhojpuri film industry, with many artists and producers condemning the incident and demanding strict action against those responsible. Police officials have assured that the matter is being taken seriously and are investigating whether the call originated within the country or from an international network.
