Who is Satendra Soni? 'Mirzapur' Actor Claims He Faced Death Threats Over Unpaid Dues
Actor Satendra Soni, widely recognized for his performance in Kiran Rao's critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies, has leveled serious allegations of physical assault, non-payment, and intimidation against film director Pushpendra Singh and his wife, Pragati Chauhan.
Actor Satendra Soni, widely recognized for his performance in Kiran Rao's critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies, has leveled serious allegations of physical assault, non-payment, and intimidation against film director Pushpendra Singh and his wife, Pragati Chauhan. The controversy erupted after Soni posted a distressed video on social media detailing an altercation during a film shoot in Madhya Pradesh. Local authorities subsequently stepped in, and Soni has since confirmed his safe return to Mumbai.
Satendra Soni Alleges Assault Over Payment Dispute
In an emotional video shared on his official Instagram account, Soni broke down in tears while explaining the situation. According to the actor, he had traveled to Madhya Pradesh to shoot for an upcoming project titled Pet Paalki. Soni stated that he received an initial signing amount of ₹50,000, with an agreement that the remaining remuneration would be cleared once filming concluded. 'Hume Marne Ki Dhamki Di': 'Mirzapur' Actor Satendra Soni Returns to Mumbai After Alleged Death Threats Over Payment Dispute (Watch Video).
The actor alleged that after completing eight days of work, he requested his pending fees, which led to an aggressive confrontation. Soni claimed that the production team threw his belongings out of his hotel room and ordered him to leave the premises immediately.
Physical Confrontation and Death Threats Detailed
Expanding on the incident in a detailed Hindi caption, Soni accused director Pushpendra Singh and Pragati Chauhan of pursuing him and two fellow artistes in a vehicle before physically attacking them on a public road. Soni wrote that when an associate tried to intervene and protect him, the director assaulted him as well. "When I spoke to him about the money, he asked me to pack up," Soni stated in the video, alleging that the director threatened his life. "He told me, 'I better not see you in the hotel.' They are threatening to kill me."
Madhya Pradesh Police Intervene in Satendra Soni Case
The video quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing widespread concern from fans and members of the film industry. Following the online traction, the Maihar Police line in Madhya Pradesh actively intervened to ensure the safety of the stranded actors. Soni subsequently posted a follow-up video from a railway station, confirming that he and his colleagues had escaped the situation unharmed. He expressed his gratitude to the Madhya Pradesh Police and the public for their swift support, noting that they had safely arrived back in Mumbai. 'Mirzapur: The Movie' Teaser Out: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu Return; Fans Call Ravi Kishan's Addition as Cherry on Top.
Satendra Soni Alleges Assault and Non-Payment by Film Director
Who is Satendra Soni? Key Roles and Background
Satendra Soni is a 26-year-old rising actor originally from Sihora, a small village in Madhya Pradesh. Over the last several years, he has built a steady portfolio in Mumbai, appearing in projects like Ab Toh Bhagwan Bharose, Doctor G, Bawaal, and the web series Mirzapur.
He achieved a significant career breakthrough playing the character Chhotu in the Aamir Khan-produced feature Laapataa Ladies, which served as India's official submission for the Academy Awards. Soni is also scheduled to appear in the upcoming Mirzapur: The Movie.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2026 11:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).