Bhojpuri cinema may be one of the most popular regional film industries in India, but over the years it has also found itself at the centre of several major controversies. From private MMS leaks and rape accusations to domestic abuse allegations and secret marriage claims, the industry has seen it all. Here is a look at some of the biggest controversies that have shaken Bhojpuri cinema over the years.
Trisha Kar Madhu ‘s private MMS leak sparks massive backlash
In August 2021, a private MMS video of Trisha Kar Padhu in a compromising position with her boyfriend leaked online, sparking massive backlash and trolling. She claimed it was recorded secretly by a roommate early in her career and leaked as industry sabotage after she refused demands, leading to ongoing legal battles. Trisha publicly condemned the leak, urged fans to delete it, and highlighted the poor treatment of women in Bhojpuri cinema.
Akshara Singh accuses Pawan Singh of abuse, threats and career sabotage
Pawan Singh and Akshara Singh were in a rumored romantic relationship post-Pawan’s first wife’s suicide in 2014, which ended amid bitter fallout around 2018-19. Akshara accused him of physical abuse, threats to kill her if she left, forcing her to sign a “contractual relationship” agreement, and circulating her obscene photos/videos online after she tried to end it. Akshara filed an FIR against Pawan in 2019 for defamation, threats, and sharing vulgar content, claiming he beat her multiple times and nearly caused her death. She alleged he demanded she touch his feet before stage performances and controlled her career, while his second wife Jyoti later claimed Akshara was three months pregnant by him. Pawan has denied deep involvement, stating he never said “I love you” to anyone and remains silent on specifics. In 2026, Akshara slammed double standards, noting Pawan dates multiple women without scrutiny while she’s constantly questioned about their past. She expressed frustration over career damage and seeks no further association, amid Pawan’s ongoing divorce from Jyoti involving similar abuse claims.
Pawan Singh’s second wife Jyoti accuses him of torture and infidelity
Pawan Singh married Jyoti Singh in 2018 after his first wife’s suicide, but their union turned turbulent, leading to divorce filings around 2022. The couple’s public feud escalated in 2025, with ongoing cases in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh courts involving maintenance and alimony disputes. Jyoti accused Pawan of giving her abortion pills twice, physical and mental torture, neglect, and infidelity. She claimed she took 25 sleeping pills in distress, demanded Rs 30 crore alimony, and alleged she was never treated as a proper wife despite the marriage. In October 2025, she visited his home amid Bihar elections, leading to a dramatic live confrontation where police intervened.
Bhojpuri actress Priyansu Singh accuses co-star Puneet Singh Rajput of rape
In 2023, Priyansu Singh accused her co-star Puneet Singh Rajput of rape and sexual abuse on the pretext of marriage. She filed an FIR in Mumbai under IPC sections 376 and 377, claiming he got drunk, forced physical relations twice, pulled her hair, and forced unnatural acts after gaining her trust via social media and industry contacts. Priyansu met Puneet in September 2021; he initially seemed polite, promised marriage, and used her connections for Bhojpuri music video work. She alleged the first assault happened when she was alone at home; he apologized but repeated it, leading her to police action on August 1, 2023. Priyansu expressed shame but sought justice publicly. Mumbai’s Vanrai police registered the case, with Puneet taken into custody for investigation. The duo had collaborated on multiple Bhojpuri videos prior. No major updates post-2023 appear in available records.
Bhojpuri actress Akanksha Dubey found dead in hotel room
Bhojpuri actress Akanksha Dubey was found dead in a Varanasi hotel room on March 26, 2023, in what police initially termed a suicide by hanging. Her mother, Madhu Dubey, accused singer Samar Singh, Akanksha’s live-in partner and frequent collaborator and his brother Sanjay Singh of support to suicide, physical torture, unpaid dues for 3+ years of work, and threats to kill her if she took other projects. Madhu alleged Samar beat Akanksha regularly, isolated her professionally, and that the death scene (body seated on bed with dupatta around neck) indicated murder, not suicide. She demanded Samar’s hanging, noting no suicide note existed and prior threats from Sanjay on March 21. Police filed an FIR under IPC Sections 306 (abetment) and 506 (intimidation); Samar was arrested in Ghaziabad on April 7, 2023, grilled on finances and relationship, then released by November 2023. As of May 2026, the Allahabad High Court issued notices to both brothers on Madhu’s CBI probe petition challenging the suicide narrative. Samar denied involvement, claiming payments were made and no deep ties caused her death.
Pawan Singh faces backlash over non-consensual behaviour towards co-star Anjali Raghav
Pawan Singh faced backlash in August 2025 after a viral video from a Lucknow promotional event for their song ‘Saiya Seva Kare’ showed him repeatedly touching co-star Anjali Raghav’s waist, making her visibly uncomfortable. Anjali, a Haryanvi actress known for music videos, publicly condemned the non-consensual act, faced trolling for smiling on stage, and announced quitting Bhojpuri cinema due to the trauma. She explained in Instagram videos that she felt disturbed by DMs blaming her silence, stressed consent boundaries, and noted such behavior wouldn’t fly in Haryana. Despite initially accepting Pawan’s apology, where he claimed no bad intent as co-artists, she later accused his PR team of dirty tactics, image damage via fan pages, and pressuring her to delete her post. Haryana Women’s Commission summoned Pawan in March 2026 over her complaint, requiring his appearance in Faridabad by April 2; Anjali confirmed reopening the matter amid ongoing PR issues.
Woman claims to be Ravi Kishan ‘s secret wife, demands rights for their daughter
In April 2024, Mumbai resident Aparna Thakur (aka Aparna Soni) held a press conference in Lucknow claiming she secretly married Bhojpuri actor-politician Ravi Kishan in 1996 after meeting him in 1995, and that he fathered their daughter Shinova, whom he refused to acknowledge publicly or legally. She sought her daughter’s rights, appealed to UP CM Yogi Adityanath, and planned court action without initially filing police complaints to protect Ravi. Kishan’s wife, Preeti Shukla, filed an FIR that night at Lucknow’s Hazratganj station against Aparna, her husband Rajesh Soni, Shinova, son Saunak, SP leader Vivek Pandey, and journalist Khurshid Khan under IPC sections for conspiracy, extortion (Rs 20 crore demand), threats, and false evidence. Preeti alleged Aparna boasted underworld links, threatened a fake rape case against Ravi, and targeted the family during elections. Shinova released a video seeking time to prove claims; Aparna later withdrew a Bombay HC plea. Ravi stayed silent amid his Gorakhpur MP campaign, calling it a distraction; no major updates post-2024 appear in available records, with cases reportedly ongoing.
