Bollywood extortion row: Who is Aayush Sharma, the actor targeted by extortionists after Ranveer Singh?

MUMBAI: Actor Aayush Sharma has emerged as the latest Bollywood personality to receive an alleged extortion demand from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to police sources. The threat was sent via Proton Mail, seeking a large sum of money, a day after similar threats surfaced against actor Ranveer Singh.Sharma’s name adds to a growing list of Bollywood figures who have reportedly received extortion threats over the past two weeks, including filmmaker Rohit Shetty, whose residence was fired upon last month. Police have since invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against five members of the gang’s Shubham Lonkar faction. Read more: From Rohit Shetty to Ranveer Singh: Extortion wave hits Bollywood; 1990s underworld fears resurfaceThe development has drawn particular attention because Sharma is the brother-in-law of Salman Khan, who himself has been repeatedly targeted by the Bishnoi gang, including gunfire outside his Bandra residence last year.Police have advised Sharma to remain alert and seek protection if he feels unsafe. Meanwhile, the cyber cell has begun efforts to trace the origin of the threatening email.The city crime branch continues to hunt for the unidentified shooter who fired five rounds outside Rohit Shetty’s residence, amid concerns that the gang is escalating its intimidation tactics against the film industry.About Aayush Sharma (at a glance)Age: 35Family Background: Grandson of veteran Congress leader Pandit Sukh RamMarital Status: Married to Arpita Khan, Salman Khan’s adopted sisterMarriage: November 2014Children: Son Ahil (born 2016), Daughter Ayat (born 2019)Residence: Satguru Flying Carpet, 13th Road, Khar West, MumbaiFilm CareerBollywood debut: Loveyatri (2018), produced by Salman KhanNotable film: Antim: The Final Truth (2021), opposite Salman Khan, directed by Mahesh Manjrekar