Hotshots: All About The OTT App For Pornographic Content Linked To Raj Kundra
The Mumbai Police on Tuesday made a shocking revelation that arrested businessman Raj Kundra and his brother-in-law Pradeep Bakshi are the alleged masterminds of an international porn films racket perpetrated through their content production companies based in India and the United Kingdom.
Mumbai’s Joint Police Commissioner (Crime) Milind Bharambe said that the two companies had a mobile app called ‘HotShots Digital Entertainment’, developed by Kenrin Ltd. The app that went by the name ‘Hotshots‘ is at the centre of the controversy and was allegedly being used to distribute pornographic content.
After complaints, this app was takedown by Google Play Store and Apple App Store. However, the app’s Android Application Package (APK) is available on several websites. The app’s description on stores read, “HD videos & short movies with unmatched exposure” and promised “private content from hot photoshoots, short movies, and experience of the lifestyle of celebrities from all over the world”. Moreover, the app also offered services like live communication with “some of the hottest models around the world” and original content was only accessible for paying subscribers.
As per the Mumbai Police, the Crime Branch registered a case related to pornographic films in February. “New actors were promised roles in web series and short stories and they were asked to do bold and nude scenes in auditions. Female actors opposed this and approached the Crime Branch based on which a case was registered. During the investigation, nine accused were arrested. Some people forcefully get such films produced,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Milind Bharambe said.
“During a detailed investigation, Raj Kundra’s company located in Viaan had a tie-up with a London-based company Kenrin that owns mobile application Hotshots. All nude content created in Mumbai was published on Hotshots, which was operated from Mumbai,” he added.
After making the content, the two companies — Viaan and Kendrin — made them available on mobile apps, offering subscriptions akin to the mainstream OTT platforms, advertise them on social media, all of which were illegal as pornography in any form is banned in India.
The police also said that after taking the court’s permission, the offices of Raj Kundra were searched and a few clips were found as well.