Tollywood sex racket busted in Chicago; two top heroines named
What's the story
In what has come as a shocker for the Southern film industry, the names of two prominent heroines have cropped up in connection with an elaborate prostitution racket in Chicago which was busted by the US federal agents.
The two well-known starlets hail from Bengaluru and Chennai.
In all, about five people from the Telugu and Kannada film industry have been named, so far.
Kingpin
The racket was being run by an Indian-origin couple
The US authorities have taken into custody an Indian-origin couple - Kishan Modugumudi alias Sreeraj Chennupati and Chandrakala Modugumudi alias Vebha Jayam - for luring young heroines to Chicago under the pretext of performing in stage shows and then pushing them into prostitution.
Sreeraj had previously worked as a production manager in Tollywood.
Details
Authorities are currently digging out more information
After launching an investigation into the case, the authorities have seized the hotel and travel records of the heroines.
They have also recorded the statements of the victims and the customers, who have admitted to having sexual encounters with the Tollywood actors in exchange for money paid to the arrested couple.
Quote
Here's what Movie Artists' Association President said about the matter
"We are aware of Sreeraj's suspicious activities. He has co-produced at least two films. We have been warning artists not to go abroad for performances with those with dubious antecedents. We are meeting on June 24 on the issue," said MAA president Shivaji Raja.