Filmmaker gets extortion calls

Controversial filmmaker Vinod Pandey has filed a complaint with the Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Mumbai crime branch stating that he has been receiving extortion calls from gangster Ejaz Lakdawala for the past few days.

According to the complaint filed by Pandey, a person who identifies himself as Ejaz lakdawala has been calling him up on his mobile phone and landline and demanding money. “The caller hasn’t specified the amount of money, but has given a Malaysian telephone number and has asked Pandey to call on that number and take further orders,” Niranjan Prabhudesai, Pandey’s advocate said.

Pandey is currently directing a movie titled Red Swastik and it is slated for release next month. In his complaint to the police, Pandey has mentioned that the caller told him that his movie will be releasing next month and he wants money before that. “The caller told Pandey that if he did not give money then he would be shot dead,” Prabhudesai said. Pandey has also made Sins starring Shiney Ahuja.

Deputy Commissioner of police Deven Bharati said, “We have received the complaint on Wednesday evening and are looking into it.”