Mahesh Babu is once again facing legal troubles, this time for endorsing a real estate firm which is accused of misleading investors. According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, the Ranga Reddy District Consumer Commission in Telangana has issued a legal notice to the actor in connection with a complaint filed against Ms Sai Surya Developers and its proprietor, Kancherla Satish Chandra Gupta.
The commission has named Mahesh Babu as the third respondent in the case, as brand ambassador for the real estate company. The notice after allegations that promotional content featuring the actor influenced individuals to invest in what turned out to be a fake project. Complainants argue that Mahesh Babu’s endorsement made the firm seem credible, and they believed in the promotional offers.
According to the complaint lodged by multiple individuals, the advertisements and promotional materials, many of which featured Mahesh Babu, contained promises that ultimately were not true. Buyers claim that they were persuaded to pay significant sums of money as they believed in the legitimacy of the project due to the star’s endorsement.
One Hyderabad-based doctor has alleged that she was duped out of Rs 34.8 lakh for plots that, according to her complaint, never existed. This incident has again started the debate over the responsibility of celebrities when endorsing commercial ventures, especially those involving high-stakes investments.
“The promotional content gave an impression of trust and credibility,” reads a section of the complaint, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. “We believed the endorsement to be a validation of the project’s authenticity.”
Mahesh Babu’s legal troubles
This is not the first time Mahesh Babu’s name has surfaced in relation to Sai Surya Developers. Earlier this year, in April, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned the actor in connection with a money laundering case involving the firm and the Surana Group. According to PTI, while the actor was not listed as an accused, he had served as brand ambassador for the controversial Green Meadows project and was reportedly paid Rs 5.9 crore, both in cheques and cash, for the endorsement.
Officials familiar with the investigation clarified that Mahesh Babu was not under direct investigation. “He may have endorsed the realty projects of the accused companies without knowing about the alleged fraud,” sources told the news agency.
As of now, neither Mahesh Babu nor his representatives have issued a statement regarding the latest legal notice.
On the work front, Mahesh Babu was last seen in Guntur Kaaram in 2023, directed by Trivikram Srinivas and co-starring Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, and Sreeleela. He is currently filming SSMB 29, a jungle adventure directed by SS Rajamouli, also starring Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran and is being scripted by veteran writer Vijayendra Prasad. Though few plot details have been officially disclosed, the film is widely believed to be inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise.