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Meta has launched a brand-new mobile app called Edits, aimed at making short-form video creation quicker and easier for content creators. The app, which was first mentioned by Instagram head Adam Mosseri back in January, is now available to download.

Edits is a standalone video editing tool—not part of Instagram or Facebook—that comes packed with advanced features built especially for smartphones. Creators can use it to film up to 10 minutes of footage, edit clips with precision, and add a range of effects like green screen backgrounds, transitions, and auto-enhance filters.

One of its key features is a frame-accurate timeline, allowing users to fine-tune individual clips easily. The app also includes real-time analytics, such as skip rates, so creators can understand how their videos are performing and make improvements accordingly.

Users can publish their final videos directly to Instagram and Facebook or export them without any watermarks—giving them the freedom to post on any platform they choose.

Meta says the app was developed in close partnership with creators, many of whom had asked for tools that offer more control and flexibility without the need for desktop editing software. It’s also part of Meta’s broader effort to compete with popular apps like TikTok and CapCut, which are widely used for creating short videos.

Looking ahead, Meta is already working on additional features, including keyframe editing for more detailed timing, AI-powered effects, and new tools to make brand collaborations smoother. The company also plans to add more fonts, filters, transitions, and a library of royalty-free music tracks to support creative freedom.

“We want to give creators the freedom to express themselves however and wherever they choose,” Meta said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/how-googles-ad-tech-power-skews-transparency-and-competition-in-india-62886.htm">Read More: How Google’s ad tech power skews transparency and competition in India</a>

Meta launches ‘Edits’ app to help creators make short videos with ease

With Google’s global search market share slipping below the 90% mark, the foundations of digital discovery and advertising are shifting. The emergence of AI-driven alternatives such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and even Google’s own Gemini is ushering in a new era where traditional search is no longer the sole entry point to the web.

Gowthaman Ragothaman, media, advertising and marketing professional and CEO of Aqilliz, captures the moment candidly. "Yeah, 100%. All our engagements with publishers clearly indicate that the effectiveness of advertising is dropping, for sure. So far, search was the primary route through which readers and viewers reached websites. That disruption is now leading to a decline in both performance marketing capabilities and audience reach. It’s definitely a matter of concern."

Tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are already changing how users navigate the web, challenging Google's algorithmic dominance. "If you look at tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, or even Google's own AI features, now when you search on Google, it by default gives you AI-generated recommendations. It’s almost like a cookie replacement—with new modeling that recommends what to read, where to go, or what to write," Ragothaman adds.

This has created a more democratized search environment. "Earlier, Google's algorithm might have nudged users toward specific destinations, but now tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity (and others in the future) are helping distribute search attention more evenly. This will definitely impact how planners think, execute, and measure outcomes."

As new disciplines like “agentic engine optimization” emerge, the old SEM-SEO playbook is getting rewritten. "There will be a restructuring in how ad spend is allocated, and yes, Google is definitely on the receiving end of that shift."

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/how-googles-ad-tech-power-skews-transparency-and-competition-in-india-62886.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Google ads costs soar: CPCs up 30%-100% across key industries, brands are fighting back</a>


Rishabh Mahendru, VP, Client Success & Growth at AdLift, elaborates on the tactical shifts underway. "Search behavior is getting more conversational and intent-driven—and we’re adapting strategies accordingly. Instead of focusing only on traditional keyword optimization, we now analyze the kinds of prompts and questions users are posing to LLMs like ChatGPT or Perplexity. That means creating content that answers complex, multi-step queries in a structured, trustworthy way."

He adds, "Structured data (schema markup), rich FAQs, and authoritative content aligned with EEAT principles have become critical. Also, since tracking traffic from LLMs is a current blind spot, we’re building internal models to estimate their impact and are actively working on new ways to measure engagement across AI surfaces."

"We’re getting a lot more questions from clients about how they can show up on tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and even voice search platforms," Mahendru notes. "Google algorithms work on keyword searches, and its AI Overviews have a noticeable impact on how we approach search ads and SEO copy for clients. Our strategy now includes optimizing for inclusion within the AI Overview—by creating content that’s credible, structured, and relevant enough to be cited directly."

On the ad side, Mahendru is realistic. "For informational queries, generative AI responses can reduce CTRs—users often get their answers right on the search results page. But for commercial or transactional queries, AI overviews aren’t triggered as frequently, yet. Google still makes its money from clicks, so ads remain central. But we’re preparing for a world where position zero might include not just SEO, but AI-summarized brand mentions. And that’s where we want our clients to win."

A Push Toward Context and Trust

The ripple effects are evident in how brands and media buyers are reacting. "With user behavior shifting and privacy taking center stage, brands are exploring beyond Google to connect with audiences in more contextual and less saturated spaces," says Vishal Singh, Country Head at Xapads Media. "There’s a clear appetite to test and learn across these emerging ecosystems as they offer fresh opportunities for intent-driven engagement and potentially lower competition."

The growing appeal of contextual advertising—which is projected to reach USD 468.17 billion by 2030—reflects this shift. "Brands are recognizing that search effectively captures existing demand, but it’s contextual advertising that has the power to create new demand," Singh adds.

As Singh observes, "media buyers are prioritizing meaningful customer relationships over sheer scale. Today, brands are investing in platforms that offer both visibility and trust—because in this evolving ecosystem, it’s not just about being seen, it’s about being believed."

New Players, New Opportunities

For publishers and advertisers alike, AI tools are both a disruption and an opportunity. Sahil Chopra, Founder and CEO of iCubesWire, says, "It doesn’t seem fair with publishers backing up the web with content for years, and now that AI has learnt to summarize the work in a blink of an eye, publishers get nothing out of it. However, some of the newer AI platforms are coming up with ways to build sharing models from the get-go. It might not seem like a big deal now but will prove instrumental in shifting trust and loyalty in the long run."

Chopra also emphasizes, "The door’s open now more than ever. Google’s always been the leader, but if Bing or OpenAI can offer more transparency, better revenue sharing, or just a fresher experience for advertisers and publishers, marketers are definitely going to make the move. This kind of shift makes space for other players to build something meaningful, especially if Google's not as dominant as before. A few years back, testing new platforms was more about let’s be an early adopter of this trend. Now, it’s become a go-to survival strategy. Juggling between privacy changes and platform shifts, one can’t just rely on one or two channels. Diversification isn’t just smart anymore, it’s the way to move forward."

The Attribution Puzzle

As new AI-driven search tools gain traction, traditional attribution models are becoming obsolete. "Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and even Google’s own Gemini are steadily drawing users away from traditional search behaviors," Mahendru notes. "This shift has begun to reflect in attribution models as well... brands need to broaden their measurement frameworks."

This is echoed by Gaurav Arora, Co-Founder of Social Panga. "The way people search is changing. It’s less about scrolling past ads and more about having a conversation — with GPTs, new engines, and soon AI agents."

He notes, "More users are showing up through direct or ‘untrackable’ sources — it’s making attribution a bit blurrier. As GPTs and AI agents become more common, we’ll eventually see new ways to track and measure those interactions too."

Caution Amid the Excitement

Despite the buzz, not everyone is ready to shift ad dollars away from Google just yet. "At this stage, Google remains too critical for advertisers to move away from," says Raj Swaminathan, Sr. Director–Revenues and New Initiatives. "Brand safety is the top priority for most companies, and Google’s platform has proven itself over many years."

Swaminathan views platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity as tools primarily for B2B functions—research, content creation, and productivity but not yet for consumer-facing advertising. "From a B2C standpoint, users searching on these platforms are often driven more by curiosity than by intent to transact."

For now, commerce search remains in the hands of platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Blinkit. "So, while AI search holds promise, at this point, it remains a space to watch rather than a space to immediately shift performance budgets into," Swaminathan cautions.

As AI reshapes how we seek and find information, the advertising ecosystem is undergoing a quiet, foundational shift. Traditional players like Google remain powerful, but they’re no longer unchallenged. And as brands reconsider how and where they reach their audiences, one truth stands out: in a world where search is splintering, trust, context, and measurement are the new cornerstones of effective advertising.

Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/how-googles-ad-tech-power-skews-transparency-and-competition-in-india-62886.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How Google’s ad tech power skews transparency and competition in India</a>

Google's grip loosens: Is AI the search disruptor?

The European Union on Wednesday levied significant penalties against two of the world's most influential companies, fining Apple and Meta hundreds of millions of euros for violations of the bloc’s stringent new digital competition rules.

The European Commission, the executive arm of the E.U., announced a €500 million ($571 million) fine against Apple and a €200 million ($228.4 million) fine against Meta, citing breaches of the Digital Markets Act — a sweeping law designed to curb the power of major online platforms and foster greater competition in the digital economy.

In Apple’s case, regulators concluded the company had failed to comply with the DMA’s “anti-steering” provisions, which require platform operators to allow app developers to inform users of alternative purchasing options outside of proprietary app stores. Officials ordered Apple to eliminate both technical and commercial barriers that prevent such steering, warning against further noncompliance.

Apple said it would appeal the decision.

“Today’s announcements are yet another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting Apple,” the company said, arguing that the ruling undermines user privacy and security. Apple added that it had made “dozens of changes” and invested “hundreds of thousands of engineering hours” in an effort to meet regulatory requirements.

Meta was found to have run afoul of the DMA by conditioning access to its platforms on user consent to share personal data — or, alternatively, on payment for an ad-free experience. The policy, introduced in late 2023, applied to users of Facebook and Instagram within the E.U.

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, accused the Commission of singling out American firms. “This isn’t just about a fine,” Kaplan said. “The Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multi-billion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service.”

EU officials acknowledged that Meta had taken some steps toward compliance, including the introduction of a less personalized advertising model that relies on minimal personal data. That revised service is under review.

“The Commission is currently assessing this new option and continues its dialogue with Meta,” regulators said in a statement, noting that the company has been ordered to implement further changes within 60 days or face additional penalties.

The decisions highlights growing transatlantic tensions over digital regulation. President Donald J. Trump, who has openly criticized the EU’s approach to American tech firms, recently retaliated with a round of “reciprocal” tariffs. Earlier this month, his administration imposed a 20 percent levy on European goods, later scaled back to 10 percent amid ongoing trade negotiations.


EU slaps $800 million in fines on Apple and Meta over digital market violations

As the global entertainment community gathers in Mumbai for WAVES 2025 — the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit — India is set to showcase its creative might through immersive conversations, exhibitions, competitions, and a spotlight on future-facing sectors like AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality). Hosted at the Jio World Centre from May 1 to 4, the summit is envisioned as a meeting point for creators, studios, startups, and global industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of film, TV, gaming, and digital content.

One of the key pillars of WAVES is the AVGC-XR segment, which highlights India’s growing expertise in immersive and visual storytelling. A spokesperson from the office of Dhirendra Ojha, Principal Director General, PIB, said, "In the last few years, there's been a drastic improvement in visual graphics and the audiovisual space. The companies in the AVGC-XR sector have made a massive leap in creativity. WAVES provides them a platform to redefine what's possible in this space.”

He added that while earlier events like IFFI (International Film Festival of India) focused primarily on cinema, WAVES is designed to respond to how the new generation engages with content across platforms. “Indian experts have contributed significantly to globally acclaimed projects, especially in VFX. Now, with WAVES, we want to identify and celebrate that talent—from creators in remote towns to early-stage startups. We’re recognising their work, giving them visibility through competitions and platforms like the WAVES Bazaar, and accelerating innovation through initiatives like WaveXcelerator,” he said.

Over 750 digital creators from across India have been selected to participate in WAVES, including social media stars, dancers, DJs, and viral content creators who emerged through nationwide digital challenges. Their work will be showcased alongside immersive tracks and state pavilions in the Bharat Pavilion, a space dedicated to India’s cultural and creative industries.

Netflix, a key partner in WAVES 2025, is co-hosting the “Unlocking Creativity” trailer-making competition and will be a major presence across the four-day summit, engaging in discussions around the future of global streaming content and storytelling.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/750-creators-become-part-of-waves-as-india-showcases-its-digital-storytelling-talent-63019.htm">Read More: 750 creators become part of WAVES as India showcases its digital storytelling talent</a>

WAVES 2025 puts AVGC-XR in limelight, to showcase India’s next-gen creators

As the global media and entertainment community converges in Mumbai for WAVES 2025 – the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit – India is preparing to make a statement that’s part cultural tribute, part creative flex. From May 1 to 4, the sprawling Jio World Centre will host the four-day spectacle, with the launch of the Bharat Pavilion at its heart — a vibrant showcase of the country’s storytelling tradition, tech-driven innovation, and its growing impact on the global content map.

Curated around the theme “Kala to Code”, the Bharat Pavilion celebrates the seamless evolution of India’s artistic roots into a tech-forward creative ecosystem. Anchored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Pavilion will bring together various state governments, industry leaders, and creative talent to underline India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing media and entertainment markets. From print and radio to memes, AI-generated trailers, and mobile-first content, the transformation is more than visible — it’s booming.

What truly sets WAVES 2025 apart is the intentional inclusion of 750 content creators from across the country. These creators — selected through 32 online challenges in categories like dance, DJing, and short-form video — represent India’s grassroots digital power. “These are creators from small towns and villages whose videos go viral — we wanted to give them a platform to shine at WAVES,” said Smita Vats Sharma, Director General, West Zone. She noted that this year’s event has been built with social media at its core, not as an afterthought.

India’s entertainment economy today is not just shaped by star-studded films and massive production houses, but also by the viral power of creators, meme-makers, and fandom pages. As Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Director, PIB Mumbai, pointed out, the summit’s programming is packed with thematic deep dives, sectoral discussions, and B2B opportunities — all catering to a new generation of content entrepreneurs.

Industry heavyweight Netflix has joined hands as a key partner and co-founder of the WAVES trailer-making competition, further reinforcing the platform’s growing interest in India’s digital storytelling ecosystem. A constellation of film stars — from Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai to Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor — will be present across the four-day summit. Their involvement is not just symbolic. It signals the growing convergence of traditional cinema with new-age storytelling formats, from reels and web series to AR/VR experiences.

WAVES is a strategic signal. With 4,500 sellers already registered for the WAVES Bazaar, and over approximately 6000 delegates expected to be part of the ecosystem across the year, the scale speaks volumes. India isn’t just exporting films anymore. It’s exporting format ideas, creator culture, social-first storytelling, and tech-backed creativity.

In the age of Instagram reels and influencer-driven virality, a question emerges: how different is a creator’s endorsement from a paid ad? When a brand releases a print ad, audiences know it’s a pitch. But when a social media influencer posts an excited take on the same product — or a film — without a disclosure, the lines blur. Visibility is the currency, but without transparency, authenticity can be compromised. WAVES, in this context, offers a timely conversation space about not just visibility, but accountability in digital amplification.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/prasar-bharatis-waves-ott-collaborates-with-german-football-association-55762.htm">Read More: Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT collaborates with German Football Association</a>

750 creators become part of WAVES as India showcases its digital storytelling talent

YouTube Music is stepping up its social media game with a new feature that lets users share their favorite song lyrics in a visually dynamic format, signaling a push to compete with Spotify and Apple Music not just in streaming quality, but in social storytelling.

The feature, currently in testing, allows users to highlight specific lines from a track’s lyrics in the Now Playing screen. Once selected, a streamlined interface guides users to customize the lyric card’s look with color themes and share it directly to platforms like Instagram Stories. There’s also the flexibility to download the card as an image for wider cross-platform use.

First spotted by AssembleDebug and later confirmed by Android Authority and Android Central, the update marks a notable pivot toward a more creator-centric, visual listening experience. In an age where music discovery increasingly happens through Reels, Stories and Shorts, lyric sharing adds a personal, expressive layer to streaming, especially for Gen Z users who treat music as a form of self-branding.

While YouTube Music already allows direct sharing of tracks to Instagram and Snapchat, this feature builds on that by inviting users to share lyrical moments—lines that resonate, provoke or inspire. It also mirrors a trend popularized by Spotify’s canvas features and Apple Music’s lyric snapshots.

The rollout comes amid other UI and UX updates in the works, including redesigned artist pages and tweaks to the audio/video toggle, hinting at a major revamp in the pipeline. Though there's no firm release date yet, YouTube Music’s growing toolbox is clearly aimed at making the app more than just a player, it's becoming a platform for musical self-expression.

YouTube Music leans into visual sharing; tests lyric cards for social media

Google has paused its long-promised plans to roll out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies in Chrome, signaling a retreat from one of the tech industry’s most-watched privacy shifts. Instead, the company says users can continue managing their cookie preferences through existing settings, a decision that comes as legal and industry pressures mount.

The announcement on Tuesday arrives on the heels of a landmark U.S. court ruling, where a judge found Google guilty of maintaining illegal monopolies in online advertising. The judgment threatens to upend Google's lucrative ad tech empire and could even force a breakup of its business, just as the company attempts to walk the line between privacy reform and preserving its digital dominance.

Despite years of working on its Privacy Sandbox, a Google-led initiative aimed at replacing invasive tracking tools with more privacy-conscious alternatives, the company now says consensus remains elusive. “There are divergent perspectives on making changes that could impact the availability of third-party cookies,” said Anthony Chavez, VP of the Privacy Sandbox team. 

Google had previously pledged to phase out these cookies, which track users across websites to serve personalized ads. But pushback from advertisers fearing a power shift toward Google’s own platforms led to the plans being shelved in 2023. Now, it seems even the idea of giving users a more transparent choice is off the table.

While Google reiterated its commitment to advancing the Privacy Sandbox APIs, critics argue the company’s slow rollout and apparent backtracking serve its own business interests, especially as scrutiny from antitrust regulators intensifies globally.

Google freezes cookie crackdown amid legal heat and ad industry pushback

Google Messages has begun rolling out a new Sensitive Content Warning feature designed to automatically blur explicit images on Android devices. The move is part of a broader push by Google to bolster online safety, particularly for younger users.

According to a report by 9To5Google, the feature is now appearing on some devices running the latest beta version of Google Messages, although a full rollout is yet to occur.

The feature will be enabled by default for users under 18. For adults, it remains optional and disabled by default, offering them the choice to turn it on if desired.

To better safeguard minors, Google has introduced two categories - Supervised users (children with parental controls via Family Link) and Unsupervised teens (users aged 13–17)

For supervised users, the blur feature cannot be turned off, with parents retaining control via the Google Family Link app. In contrast, unsupervised teens will have the option to disable the warning via their Google Account settings.

How It Works
The feature functions in two key ways:

Blurring Inbound Images:
When a message contains an image suspected of nudity or explicit content, it will be automatically blurred. Before opening it, users will see options to:

Learn why explicit content might be harmful
Block the sender
View or skip viewing the image

Reapply the blur afterwards by selecting ‘Remove preview’

If a user attempts to send or forward a potentially explicit image, the system will intervene with a warning, encouraging users to reconsider before proceeding.

Importantly, this detection system is handled entirely on the device using Android’s SafetyCore technology. This ensures that no personal images or data are shared with Google servers, preserving user privacy. SafetyCore only activates when an app specifically requests content scanning, meaning images sent outside of Google Messages or without the feature enabled will not be analysed.

The rollout is part of a broader industry trend to protect young users amid growing scrutiny over children’s exposure to inappropriate content and the mental health risks associated with messaging platforms.

Google messages introduces sensitive content warnings to blur explicit images on android

At a recent virtual roundtable, Dan Taylor, Google’s Vice President of Global Advertising Strategy, emphasized how the company’s growing investment in artificial intelligence is reshaping not just search and shopping, but the very screens consumers now favor for entertainment and discovery. Chief among them is the connected television.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/inside-ctvs-explosion-how-brands-are-leveraging-immersive-storytelling-and-data-62756.htm">Read more: Inside CTV's explosion: How brands are leveraging immersive storytelling and data</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/as-ai-reshapes-discovery-youtube-becomes-indias-new-living-room-62831.htm">Read more: Google's Dan Taylor on how AI is redefining the ad playbook</a>

“YouTube is now the most-watched streaming service on CTV in India and Japan,” Taylor noted, citing data that reflects a broader trend across Asia-Pacific. In countries like Taiwan, India, and Japan, YouTube CTV viewership has doubled or even tripled over the past few years. And globally, viewers consume more than one billion hours of YouTube content daily on TV screens.

This shift highlights a fundamental reordering of media habits. In India, for example, 85 percent of viewers now prefer YouTube on connected televisions over traditional linear programming. Over half of these viewers spend more than 21 minutes per session on the platform - an engagement window advertisers are increasingly eager to tap into.

Taylor pointed to this moment as a convergence of technological capability and evolving audience behavior. 'Consumer attention is no longer confined to mobile phones or desktops. Streaming on smart TVs is not just entertainment, it’s now a key point of product discovery,' he said.

At the heart of Google’s CTV strategy is AI. From content creation to campaign optimization, the tech giant is doubling down on automation and generative tools. Taylor highlighted the rollout of ImageN3, part of the Gemini AI suite, which enables advertisers to generate customized images—including lifelike faces—via simple text prompts. This feature is already live across Performance Max, Display, and other ad formats, including CTV.

AI isn’t just accelerating creativity; it’s changing the scale at which we can reach people in the moments that matter, Taylor noted. And CTV is one of those moments, he added. 

Indeed, YouTube’s positioning on connected TVs aligns with broader advertising momentum. According to Google, Shorts ads on CTV are outperforming traditional formats in engagement and relevance. The company’s data suggests viewers don’t just tolerate CTV ads - they find them more enjoyable and contextually appropriate than ads on other platforms.

This preference has not gone unnoticed by advertisers. Brands are increasingly weaving CTV into their media strategies, with Puma seeing a 66 percent higher return on investment from AI-powered Google Ads campaigns compared to other channels.

CTV’s rise also dovetails with an evolving search ecosystem. While traditional search remains foundational, Taylor pointed out that behaviors are becoming increasingly “multi-modal.” A paused YouTube video might lead to a purchase. A still image might spark a search. Google Lens now processes over 20 billion visual queries per month, one in four with commercial intent.

In this fluid environment, marketers face a daunting challenge - keep up with consumers whose journeys from discovery to decision span devices, platforms, and formats. For Google, the answer lies in AI.

Google is an AI-first company, Taylor reiterated, stating that the tech giant brings a full-stack approach—research, infrastructure, and scale. That extends directly into advertising, including how they show up on CTV.

It’s a message that resonates in a market where traditional media planning is losing ground to real-time, responsive, AI-enhanced strategy. And for a growing segment of viewers, the big screen in the living room is no longer just for passive viewing - it's becoming the next frontier of digital commerce.

Google exec says advertisers are shifting gears as CTV becomes the new prime time

Popular Telugu actor Mahesh Babu has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged ₹100-crore real estate money laundering case involving Hyderabad-based firms Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers.

The actor, 49, has been asked to appear before the agency in Hyderabad on 28 April for questioning. Although he is not listed as an accused, his name has surfaced during the probe due to promotional work he undertook for the two real estate firms.

According to official sources, Mahesh Babu was paid over ₹11 crore—₹5.5 crore by Surana Group and ₹5.9 crore by Sai Surya Developers. A significant portion of the payment from Sai Surya Developers—₹2.5 crore—was allegedly made in cash, while ₹3.4 crore was paid via cheque. The ED is now examining these payments to determine whether they were made using illegitimate funds linked to proceeds of crime.

The summons follows raids conducted by the ED at four locations across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, targeting properties owned by Surana Group chairman Narendra Surana, managing director Devendar Surana, and Sai Surya Developers. These searches yielded unaccounted cash worth ₹74.5 lakh and documentation pointing to illegal transactions totalling over ₹100 crore.

The investigation stems from multiple FIRs lodged by the Telangana Police, accusing Narendra Surana of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd and K Sathish Chandra Gupta, owner of Sai Surya Developers, of orchestrating fraudulent schemes.

The accused are alleged to have sold the same plots to multiple buyers, failed to register properties, and taken advance payments without binding agreements. The ED stated that their actions defrauded investors and allowed them to generate and launder illicit funds, which were then allegedly funnelled into related businesses and entities.

Mahesh Babu was the brand ambassador for Sai Surya Developers’ “Green Meadows” project, which is now under investigation for non-delivery and potential misrepresentation. Sources suggest that the actor may have endorsed the project without knowledge of the alleged scam.

The ED is expected to question him on the nature of his association with the developers, the terms of payment, and whether any due diligence was conducted before lending his name to the project.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/patanjali-withdraws-sharbat-jihad-ads-after-delhi-high-court-condemns-communal-remarks-62936.htm">Read More: Patanjali withdraws 'Sharbat Jihad' ads after Delhi High Court condemns communal remarks</a>

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