The glittering world of Bollywood often captures attention not only for its glamour and celebrity lives but also for the controversies that surround some of its most well-known figures. Actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, have once again found themselves in the centre of headlines, this time because of a fraud case involving more than ₹60 crore. The allegations were brought forward by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari, director of Lotus Capital Financial Services, who claims that his investment in their former company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, was misused. The case has now moved into the hands of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police, intensifying public interest and legal scrutiny.
According to the complaint, Kothari invested around ₹60.4 crore between 2015 and 2023 in Best Deal TV, a company once promoted as a celebrity-driven home shopping channel. The funds were meant for expanding business operations and scaling the company’s market reach. However, the complainant alleges that instead of being channelled into the company’s growth, a substantial portion of the money was diverted and used by Shetty and Kundra for their personal expenses. This, he argues, not only violated his trust but also led to serious financial losses. The sheer size of the amount in question pushed the case beyond the regular jurisdiction of local police and into the purview of the EOW, as all cases involving fraud above ₹10 crore are investigated by the specialised wing.
On their part, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra have strongly denied all allegations. Their lawyer, Prashant Patil, released a detailed statement declaring the charges as “baseless” and clarified that the matter is civil in nature, not criminal. Patil pointed out that the issue had already been taken up by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai, which passed an order on 4 October 2024. He also explained that Best Deal TV had gone into liquidation, and all financial records, cash flow statements, and relevant documents had already been presented before the authorities. According to him, the complaint has no criminal substance as it had already been addressed in the civil forum, and the case should not be dragged into criminal proceedings.
While the legal battle unfolds, public attention has also turned toward Shilpa Shetty’s other business ventures. On 4 September 2025, she announced the closure of her iconic Bandra-based restaurant, Bastian Bandra. The restaurant, known for its unique menu and artistic interiors, first opened its doors in 2016 and later shifted to a larger space in 2023. Over the years, it became one of Mumbai’s most sought-after venues, attracting celebrities, socialites, and food lovers. In an emotional social media post, Shetty called the closure “the end of an era” and revealed that a special farewell evening was organised to celebrate its journey with loyal patrons. She emphasised that while the Bandra outlet was shutting, the Bastian brand would continue through its other outlets, including Bastian At The Top in Dadar West, where their popular Thursday event Arcane Affair would carry on.
The timing of the restaurant’s closure, coming just as news of the fraud case broke out, led to widespread speculation that the two might be linked. Many wondered if the financial strain caused by the case had forced Shetty to shut down the Bandra outlet. However, both Shetty and her business partner, restaurateur Ranjit Bindra, were quick to clarify that the closure had nothing to do with the ongoing legal troubles. Bindra issued a statement explaining that the decision was part of a planned rebranding and expansion strategy. He confirmed that the Bandra space would soon reopen as Ammakai, a specialty South Indian restaurant, by mid-October. At the same time, Bastian Hospitality was preparing to launch a new Bastian Beach Club in Juhu, marking an expansion rather than a setback.
Bindra stressed that Bandra had been the starting point of Bastian’s journey, but the team wanted to honour South Indian culinary heritage through Ammakai while bringing fresh energy to Juhu with the beach club. According to him, this was a natural evolution of their business model and not an indication of financial distress. His comments were meant to put an end to rumours that Shilpa’s restaurant business was collapsing under the weight of the fraud allegations.
Despite these clarifications, the connection between Shilpa Shetty’s professional life and the allegations against her husband continues to draw public attention. Raj Kundra has had a controversial past, with previous run-ins with the law, including the pornography-related case in 2021, which had briefly landed him in jail. While he was later released on bail, his reputation has since carried the shadow of controversy. The new ₹60 crore case has added yet another chapter to this continuing saga of legal challenges.
For Shilpa Shetty, the situation is particularly sensitive. As a celebrated actress, fitness icon, and entrepreneur, she has built a brand that extends beyond films into wellness, food, and lifestyle businesses. She has often shared glimpses of her ventures and family life with her fans, building an image of stability and success. The fraud case threatens to cast a cloud over that image, regardless of the legal outcome. Allegations of financial misconduct, especially when tied to large sums of money, tend to linger in the public’s perception, even if courts eventually clear the accused.
The case also raises broader questions about celebrity-led businesses and the risks investors take when associating with them. Best Deal TV was once positioned as a promising enterprise, backed by the star power of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra. Its failure, followed by allegations of misappropriation, highlights the need for transparency and accountability in such ventures. For investors like Kothari, the loss is not just financial but also reputational, as such cases attract media glare and prolonged litigation.
As the investigation continues, the EOW will examine whether there is enough evidence to pursue criminal charges or if the case remains confined to civil disputes already settled in the NCLT. For now, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra maintain their innocence, while Deepak Kothari insists that he was cheated. The outcome will depend on how the authorities interpret the financial records and the agreements between the parties. Until then, the case will remain a matter of public interest, feeding debates about celebrity influence, financial accountability, and the fine line between civil disputes and criminal fraud.
