In the 2012 Telugu film Racha, also known as Betting Raja, the protagonist embarks on a high-stakes journey, wagering not just money but his very life. Fast forward to 2025, and some of our beloved celebrities seem to have taken inspiration – only this time, the stakes are the public’s hard-earned money and trust.
A rebel without pause, a relentless critic of political misdeeds, and a supposed guardian of ethics – Prakash Raj now finds himself embroiled in allegations of promoting illegal betting apps. The irony is almost poetic. A man who spares no words in decrying moral decay is now caught gambling with the public’s financial security.
Celebrity endorsements
Joining him in this high-stakes game are a host of big names – Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and even TV anchor Shyamala of YSRCP, known for her sharp attacks on political figures like Pawan Kalyan and Chandrababu Naidu. Their endorsement of these platforms exposes the stark contradiction between their public personas and commercial pursuits. What message do we send when our so-called heroes, once symbols of integrity, now profit from platforms that exploit the vulnerable?
Is this just about pocketing extra cash, or is it the intoxicating allure of easy money? When public figures – whose words and actions influence millions – choose to gamble on others’ financial security, one must wonder: What exactly are they betting on?
The real victims are ordinary people
Behind the glitz and glamour of celebrity endorsements lies a grim reality. It is not just about entertainment – it is about the devastation these platforms leave behind. Families, particularly from middle and lower-income backgrounds, are the ones paying the price. With thousands of crores at stake and livelihoods on the line, this is less a game of chance and more a carefully orchestrated scheme to siphon wealth from the unsuspecting.
As investigations unfold and more names come to light, one thing is certain: celebrity status comes with a responsibility far beyond setting trends. When endorsements become gambles with lives and livelihoods, it is time to reconsider the true cost of such high-stakes deals.
Prakash Raj’s apology is too little, too late
There’s an old saying: ‘Sau choohe khaake, billi haj pe chali’. It perfectly captures the latest damage-control attempt by Prakash Raj. In a video circulating on X, the ever-opinionated actor claims that he endorsed a betting app eight years ago but has since realised his mistake and now refuses to associate with such platforms. With an air of newfound wisdom, he even advises people to stay away from betting apps. How noble. How convenient.
Let us not forget that celebrity endorsements, especially in the digital age, have lasting consequences. Prakash Raj’s influence undoubtedly played a role in luring unsuspecting users into the gambling trap. If he was genuinely remorseful, why did it take him eight years to publicly disavow his involvement? Did the money he earned only now start to feel tainted? Or is this just another carefully timed PR stunt to salvage his moral high ground?
A carefully timed video
If he truly wanted to undo the damage, he could have done more than just a casual ‘I’ve realised my mistake’ statement. A real gesture – actively campaigning against such apps, returning his endorsement earnings to gambling awareness programmes, or legally challenging these platforms – would have spoken louder than this half-hearted disavowal.
But no. Instead, we get a carefully timed video, an insincere admission, and a patronising sermon on staying away from betting apps. How reassuring. Celebrities rarely take responsibility unless their image is at stake. And, as always, it is the common people who pay the price for their belated awakenings.