Allegation of crore-rupee fraud through actress’s forged signature

James Cameron’s cinematic magic has struck again. In a stunning display of global box office dominance, Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment of the blockbuster franchise, crossed the $1 billion revenue mark worldwide just 17 days after its release. The film, which premiered at the start of 2026, has set the tone for a spectacular year in Hollywood, captivating audiences with its visual grandeur and storytelling prowess.

Industry analysts attribute the franchise’s success to Cameron’s meticulous direction, cutting-edge visual effects, and the enduring popularity of the Avatar universe. The achievement is reminiscent of the record-breaking performances of its predecessors, cementing the series as one of the most lucrative in cinematic history.

Meanwhile, in a completely unrelated but headline-grabbing scandal, Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, daughter of veteran actor Sunil Shetty, has been embroiled in a high-value fraud case. Authorities allege that multiple fake contracts were executed using Athiya Shetty’s forged signature, resulting in financial damages amounting to several crore rupees. Three individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case.

The primary accused is Rishabh Sureka, owner of a company named Yash Nagarkoti. According to police sources, Sureka first contacted Athiya’s assistant team in January 2024 to negotiate a contract worth approximately ₹40 lakh for a jewellery store advertisement. Though the discussions never concluded legitimately, Sureka allegedly assured the store that Athiya would appear in the campaign, forging her signature without consent.

The allegations extend further. Sureka is accused of creating fraudulent dining bills under the names of Athiya Shetty and her husband, Indian cricketer KL Rahul, to siphon money from various sources. Investigators also discovered that he created a fake email account in actor Arshad Warsi’s name to correspond with multiple individuals and organisations.

Media reports indicate that Sureka joined an advertising firm in 2023 and borrowed ₹15 lakh shortly after, citing his mother’s medical expenses. He allegedly attempted further financial irregularities within the company. In 2024, he claimed he required ₹62 lakh to involve actress Dia Mirza in a project, though the veracity of this claim has since been questioned.

Following the exposure of these activities, Rishabh Sureka and two associates from his company have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud.