Bhojpuri cinema may be one of the most popular regional film industries in India, but it has also found itself at the center of several major controversies over the years. from private MMS from leaks and rape allegations to allegations of domestic abuse and claims of secret marriages, the industry has seen it all. Here’s a look at some of the biggest controversies that have rocked Bhojpuri cinema over the years.
Trisha Kar Madhu Private MMS leaks lead to massive backlash
In August 2021, a private MMS video Trisha Kar Padhu in a dangerous position with her boyfriend was leaked online, leading to massive backlash and trolling. Early in his career he was secretly recorded by a roommate and leaked as industrial sabotage after he refused demands, leading to ongoing legal battles. Trisha publicly condemned the leak, asked fans to delete it and highlighted the mistreatment of women in Bhojpuri cinema.
Akshara Singh accuses Pawan Singh of abuse, threats and career sabotage
Pawan Singh and Akshara Singh were in a romantic relationship after the suicide of Pawan’s first wife in 2014, which ended in a bitter fallout around 2018-19. Akshara accused her of physically abusing her, threatening to kill her if she left, forcing her to sign a ‘contractual relationship’ agreement and posting her lewd photos/videos online after she tried to break up with him. Akshara filed an FIR in 2019 against Pawan for defamation, threats and sharing vulgar content, alleging that he beat her several times and almost caused her death. Alleging that he asked her to touch her feet before stage performances and controlled her career, second wife Jyoti later claimed that Akshara was three months pregnant. Pawan has denied any deep involvement, saying he never said “I love you” to anyone and remains tight-lipped on the specifics. In 2026, Akshara casts double standards, and warns Pawan that Pawan makes out with various women unsupervised, while constantly questioning him about their past. She expressed frustration at the damage to her career and is not seeking another partnership amid Pawan’s ongoing divorce from Jyoti, which involves claims of similar abuse.
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 was tumultuous, leading to divorce filings around 2022. The couple’s public feud escalated in 2025, with ongoing cases in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh courts over maintenance and alimony disputes. Jyoti accused Pawan of giving abortion pills twice, physical and mental torture, neglect and infidelity. She said she took 25 sleeping pills in an emergency, asked for alimony of 30 million and was never considered a suitable wife despite being married. In October 2025, he visited her home in the midst of the Bihar elections, leading to a dramatic direct confrontation with the police.
Bhojpuri actor Priyansu Singh is accused of raping co-star Puneet Singh Rajput
In 2023, Priyansu Singh accused his co-star Puneet Singh Rajput of rape and sexual abuse on the pretext of marriage. He filed an FIR in Mumbai under sections 376 and 377 of the IPC, alleging that he got her drunk, forced her into physical relations twice, pulled her hair and forced him to perform unnatural acts after gaining her trust through social media and industry contacts. Priyansu met Puneet in September 2021; he seemed polite at first, promised marriage and used his connections for Bhojpuri music video work. He reported that the first attack happened when he was alone at home; he apologized but repeated it, leading to police action on August 1, 2023. Priyansu expressed shame but publicly sought justice. Mumbai’s Vanrai police registered a case, and Puneet was detained for investigation. The duo had previously collaborated on several Bhojpuri videos. There are no major updates after 2023 in the available records.
Bhojpuri actress Akanksha Dubey has been found dead in her hotel room
Bhojpuri actress Akanksha Dubey was found dead in a Varanasi hotel room on March 26, 2023, in what police initially ruled a suicide by hanging. Her mother, Madhu Dubey, accused singer Samar Singh, Akanksha’s partner and frequent collaborator, and her brother Sanjay Singh of suicide, physical torture, unpaid dues for over 3 years of work and death threats if they took up other projects. Madhu alleged that Samar regularly beat Akanksha, professionally isolated her and that the death scene (the body sitting on the bed with a dupatta around her neck) indicated murder, not suicide. He demanded that Samar be hanged, citing the absence of a suicide note and Sanjay’s earlier threats on March 21. The police lodged an FIR under sections 306 (aiding) and 506 (threat) of the IPC; Samar was arrested in Ghaziabad on 7 April 2023, grilled about finances and relationships, and released by November 2023. In May 2026, the Allahabad High Court issued notices to the two brothers on Madhu’s CBI inquiry application, challenging the suicide narrative. Samar denied involvement, saying the payments were made and that there was no deep connection that caused the death.
Pawan Singh has faced backlash for his non-consensual behavior towards co-star Anjali Raghav
Pawan Singh faced backlash in August 2025 when a viral video from a promotional event for the song “Saiya Seva Kare” in Lucknow showed him repeatedly touching co-star Anjali Raghav’s waist, making her uncomfortable. Anjali, a Haryanvi actress known for her music videos, publicly condemned the non-consensual act, faced trolling for smiling on stage and announced her retirement from Bhojpuri cinema due to the trauma. In Instagram videos, the DM explained that he felt disturbed by those accusing him of his silence, emphasized the limits of consent and stated that such behavior would not fly in Haryana. Although he initially accepted Pawan’s apology, where he claimed no ill-intent as a co-artist, he later accused his PR team of dirty tactics, vandalizing images through fan pages and pressured him to delete his post. The Haryana Women’s Commission summoned Pawan in March 2026 over her complaint, asking her to appear in Faridabad by April 2; Anjali confirmed that she reopened the matter amid ongoing PR issues.
She says she is a woman Ravi Kishan The wife’s secret, she demands rights for her daughter
In April 2024, Mumbai resident Aparna Thakur (Aparna Soni) held a press conference in Lucknow, saying that she had married Bhojpuri actor-politician Ravi Kishan in 1996, after meeting them in 1995, and refused to publicly or legally acknowledge that she had fathered a daughter, Shinova. She sought her daughter’s rights, approached UP CM Yogi Adityanath and planned court action to protect Ravi without initially filing a police complaint. Kishan’s wife Preeti Shukla filed an FIR that night at Lucknow’s Hazratganj station against Aparna, her husband Rajesh Soni, son Shinova, Saunak, SP leader Vivek Pandey and journalist Khurshid Khan under the IPC for conspiracy, extortion (20 crore demand), false threats and false evidence. Preeti said that Aparna had boasted of her underworld connections, threatened her with a false rape case against Ravi and targeted the family during the elections. Shinova released a video seeking time to prove the claims; Aparna later withdrew her plea from the Bombay HC. Ravi remained silent amid the Gorakhpur MP’s campaign, calling it a distraction; There are no major updates after 2024 in the available records, reporting that cases are ongoing.
