The Bhojpuri film industry has once again found itself in the spotlight, this time due to serious allegations against popular actor and singer Pawan Singh. An FIR has been registered against the star in Varanasi following a complaint filed by a hotel businessman, who accused him and three others of duping him of over ₹1.57 crore under the pretext of investing in a Bhojpuri film project.

According to reports, the case was filed at Cantonment Police Station in Varanasi after an order by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. Along with Pawan Singh, the accused include Premshankar Rai, his wife Seema Rai, and director Arvind Chaubey. The FIR has been lodged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

The complainant, hotel owner Vishal Singh, alleged that the accused persuaded him to invest in a Bhojpuri film by promising attractive returns and even government subsidies. He claimed that the Rai couple first approached him in 2017, presenting themselves as film producers. Later, they arranged a meeting with actor Pawan Singh, after which the pressure to invest increased.

Trusting their assurances, Vishal Singh transferred ₹32.60 lakh from his and his brother’s firms into different accounts. In July 2018, a meeting was held at his hotel where an agreement was signed on the company’s letterhead, declaring him a producer of the film and promising 50% profit share.

The project, reportedly titled “Boss”, even began shooting. However, as the production progressed, Vishal Singh claimed he invested an additional ₹1.25 crore. When he asked for a share of the profits or the return of his investment, the accused allegedly started delaying and avoiding repayment.

The businessman further alleged that despite repeated demands, he was neither given the promised profit nor refunded his money. Feeling cheated, he approached the court, which eventually directed police to register a case.

This is not the first time Pawan Singh has faced controversy. Recently, he made headlines after being accused of misbehavior by his co-star Anjali Raghav, following which he issued a public apology. Now, with fresh allegations of financial fraud, the Bhojpuri superstar once again finds himself at the center of public and legal scrutiny.

The Cantonment Police have started investigating the case to uncover the truth behind the allegations. Authorities are expected to record statements, verify financial transactions, and review agreements related to the film’s production. Legal experts suggest that if found guilty, the accused could face severe consequences under the multiple charges filed.

The Bhojpuri film industry has often been mired in disputes, ranging from controversies around actors to financial irregularities. Pawan Singh, known for his hit songs and films, remains a popular figure in the industry, but the allegations of fraud could potentially dent his reputation and impact his career.

For now, the case against Pawan Singh and others remains under investigation. Whether the allegations will be proven in court or dismissed as baseless claims remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the incident has sparked intense debate among fans and within the Bhojpuri film fraternity about transparency, trust, and accountability in film financing.