Rana Daggubati appears before SIT for the online betting app case; says 'Want to spread the right message'

Rana Daggubati

Rana Daggubati, an actor and producer, appeared before the SIT in Telangana on Saturday in connection with a case involving the alleged marketing of an online betting app. He talked to the press after being questioned by the SIT, stating that he wanted to 'spread the proper word' about gaming apps.

Rana addressed to the reporters outside the SIT headquarters and stated, according to PTI, "What happened has happened, and now we are just going to take the right ways to communicate the right messaging about these gaming apps." ANI also quoted him as saying, "We are going to use the right ways to communicate the right message about gaming and gaming apps. The legalities will be completed later. But I am here to do whatever is needed to help spread the message."

The Telangana government established the SIT, which is overseen by the Additional Director General of Police and the CID, to combat unlawful betting. Earlier this year, Telangana police filed FIRs against 25 celebrities and influencers, including Rana, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, for allegedly promoting illegal gambling apps on social media.

After the situation became public, Vijay's team issued a statement claiming that the actor had sponsored a skill-based game app in areas where it was legal. They stated, "This is to inform the public and all concerned parties that Vijay Deverakonda has officially entered into a contract with a company solely for the limited purpose of serving as a brand ambassador for skill-based games. His endorsement was strictly confined to regions and territories where online skill-based games are legally permitted."

Prakash also stated that he had advertised a game application years ago but stopped since it did not feel right. "In 2016, people approached me for a gaming app, and I did do it. But within a few months, my conscience, maybe it was legal but I thought that it was not right. But I couldn't do anything, so I let it go for a year's contract. Immediately, when they wanted to renew, I said no. My conscience doesn't accept that," he wrote.

Rana most recently produced and appeared in the film Kaantha, starring Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani, and Bhagyashri Borse.