Who is Ranya Rao? The actress caught for smuggling 14.8 kg gold at Bengaluru airport

The 31-year-old was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) upon her arrival from Dubai.

Updated on: Mar 5, 2025, 09:45:10 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Kannada actress Ranya Rao has landed in controversy after being arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold.

Following her arrest on Monday night, she was presented before an economic offences court. (Facebook/Ranya Rao)

The 31-year-old was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) upon her arrival from Dubai.

(Also Read: Kannada actress Ranya Rao found carrying 14.8 kg gold at Bengaluru airport; arrested)

Who is Ranya Rao?

Hailing from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Ranya, pursued engineering at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bengaluru before venturing into the film industry, Times of India reported.

Ranya made her film debut in 2014 with the Kannada movie Maanikya, directed by and starring Sudeep. She played Manasa, a wealthy young woman and the protagonist’s love interest.

Expanding her career beyond Kannada cinema, Ranya made her Tamil debut in 2016 with Wagah, where she starred opposite Vikram Prabhu in a romantic drama. The following year, she returned to Kannada films with Pataki, a comedy where she portrayed Sangeetha, a journalist and the love interest of actor Ganesh’s character.

(Also Read: MUDA ‘scam': RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna moves HC seeking CBI probe against CM Siddaramaiah)

Following her arrest on Monday night, she was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her to 14 days in judicial custody, they added.

According to officials, Rao had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight and had been under surveillance due to her frequent international travel. Investigators revealed that she had allegedly smuggled the gold by wearing a significant portion of it and concealing gold bars in her clothing.

Authorities grew suspicious after noticing that she had travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days, prompting a targeted operation upon her return. Preliminary investigations suggest that the actress may have attempted to use her connections to bypass customs checks.

Reports indicate that upon landing, she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of Karnataka’s Director General of Police and contacted local police personnel to escort her home.

Officials are now probing whether any law enforcement officers, including her IPS relative, were aware of her activities or were misled into assisting her. After her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru’s HBR Layout for questioning.

Authorities are investigating whether she was acting alone or was part of a larger smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.