Kannada Actress Ranya Rao Arrested for Smuggling 14.8 kg Gold at Bengaluru Airport

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda Airport on March 3, 2025, for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. Although arriving in India from abroad, she was taken by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on suspicion of being part of a smuggling syndicate allegedly operating through the airport for some months. 

Ranya Rao, 31, is the stepdaughter of Karnataka Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation) K. Ramachandra Rao. The DRI had placed her under surveillance due to her short trips to the Gulf with suspected illicit intentions. 

On arrival from Dubai by Emirates flight, Ranya was intercepted, and 14 gold bars (totaling 14 kilograms) were recovered, concealed within a belt strapped to her body, along with 800 grams of gold jewelry. She was presented before a magistrate and remanded in custody for 14 days. 

Ranya Rao made her acting debut in 2014 with the Kannada film 'Maanikya,' directed and acted by Sudeep. She later appeared in the Tamil film Wagah (2016) and the Kannada film Pataki (2017). 

Her arrest has sent shockwaves through film circles, with allegations of misusing protocol privileges directed at influential connections. Further investigations will be awaited to determine the extent of her involvement in the smuggling operations and any possible links to the parties involved.