Rohit Shetty gets ₹20 crore extortion threat from Lawrence Bishnoi gang
Synopsis
Months after five bullets were fired at his Juhu home, filmmaker Rohit Shetty has allegedly received a ₹20 crore extortion demand from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang via an audio clip — with the speaker warning the earlier attack was 'only a trailer.' The voice is believed to be that of Shubham Lonkar, a fugitive wanted in the Baba Siddiqui murder case.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty allegedly received a ₹20 crore extortion demand from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang .
The threat was delivered through a 90-second audio clip found by Shetty's staff on Saturday morning .
The voice in the clip is believed to be that of Shubham Lonkar , a fugitive wanted in the 2024 Baba Siddiqui murder case.
In February 2026 , five bullets were fired outside Shetty's Juhu home; shooter Deepak Sharma was arrested in Agra .
The Mumbai Crime Branch filed a 1,624-page charge sheet in April, naming 15 accused ; Pravin Lonkar and Aarzo Bishnoi are declared absconders.
The audio clip has been sent for forensic examination .
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has allegedly received a fresh extortion threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, demanding ₹20 crore, months after a shooting outside his Juhu residence in February 2026. The threat was reportedly delivered via a roughly 90-second audio clip, discovered by Shetty's staff on Saturday morning and subsequently handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch.
What the Audio Clip Allegedly Said
According to police, the audio clip carries what investigators believe to be the voice of Shubham Lonkar, a close associate of Lawrence Bishnoi who is wanted in connection with the 2024 murder of leader Baba Siddiqui, as well as the February 2026 firing at Shetty's home. In the clip, the speaker allegedly warns that the earlier shooting was 'only a trailer' and that if Shetty fails to pay the demanded sum, 'the bullets would be directed at the filmmaker himself' this time. The clip has been sent for forensic examination, officials said.
The February 2026 Shooting: Background
In February 2026, five bullets were fired outside Rohit Shetty's Juhu home near Hasya Kalakar Mehmood Chowk. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for that attack. The shooter, identified as Deepak Sharma, was a bike-borne assailant who was subsequently arrested in Agra.
Charge Sheet and Accused
The Mumbai Crime Branch filed a 1,624-page charge sheet in the firing case in April, naming 15 accused. Among them, Pravin Lonkar and Aarzo Bishnoi have been declared absconders. Shubham Lonkar, whose voice is believed to feature in the latest audio threat, remains at large and is a key figure in multiple cases linked to the Bishnoi network.
Investigation Status
A Mumbai Crime Branch official confirmed that Shetty's staff handed over the audio clip to the police, and initial investigation points to the voice being that of Shubham Lonkar. Forensic analysis is currently underway to verify the authenticity and origin of the recording. The development signals an escalation in the gang's alleged targeting of high-profile figures in Mumbai. This comes amid a broader pattern of the Lawrence Bishnoi network issuing extortion threats to Bollywood personalities and businessmen, a trend that has drawn increasing scrutiny from Maharashtra law enforcement.
Point of View
Even as key operatives remain at large. The fact that a fugitive like Shubham Lonkar can allegedly issue threats from outside custody, months after a charge sheet naming 15 accused, raises pointed questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing crackdown. With Bollywood figures increasingly in the crosshairs, Mumbai's law enforcement faces pressure not just to solve individual cases but to dismantle the financial and communication infrastructure that makes such threats possible. The audio clip, if forensically verified, could be the most significant evidence yet linking Lonkar directly to a fresh criminal act.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What extortion threat did Rohit Shetty receive from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang?
Rohit Shetty allegedly received a demand for ₹20 crore via a 90-second audio clip, reportedly discovered by his staff on a Saturday morning. The clip allegedly warns that if he does not pay, he will be directly targeted, with the February 2026 shooting at his Juhu home described as 'only a trailer.'
Who is Shubham Lonkar and why is he significant?
Shubham Lonkar is a close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi and a fugitive wanted in connection with the 2024 murder of leader Baba Siddiqui and the February 2026 firing at Rohit Shetty's Juhu residence. The voice in the latest extortion audio clip is believed to be his, pending forensic verification.
What happened during the February 2026 shooting at Rohit Shetty's home?
Five bullets were fired outside Shetty's Juhu residence near Hasya Kalakar Mehmood Chowk in February 2026. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility, and the shooter, Deepak Sharma, was arrested in Agra.
What is the status of the Mumbai Crime Branch investigation?
The Crime Branch filed a 1,624-page charge sheet in April naming 15 accused in the firing case. Pravin Lonkar and Aarzo Bishnoi have been declared absconders. The latest audio clip has been handed over to police and sent for forensic examination.
Is this the first time the Bishnoi gang has targeted Bollywood figures?
No. The Lawrence Bishnoi network has been linked to multiple extortion threats and attacks targeting high-profile individuals in Mumbai, including the 2024 murder of Baba Siddiqui. The alleged targeting of Rohit Shetty is part of a broader, documented pattern.
