Mumbai: Popular rapper Badshah paid Rs 72 lakhs for boost views for one of his music videos to set a new viewership record, according to reports.
Officials claimed that the rapper confessed he had purchased around 7.2 crore views to create a record for most YouTube views in the first 24 hours of its release.
He had also claimed that the music video of his song titled Pagal Hai garnered 75 million views on the day of its release, beating the previous records set by Taylor Swift and Korean band BTS. Google, however, rejected the claim.
Deputy commissioner of police Nandkumar Thakur told a leading portal, "The singer confessed that he wanted to set a world record that is why he paid Rs 72 lakh to 'buy' views."
READ |Badshah debunks involvement in fake social media followers scam
"Apart from Pagal Hai, we are also scrutinising his other songs posted on social media," another official said.
Earlier, Badshah has issued a statement denying all allegations levelled against him while speaking to the police.
"Following the summons, I have spoken to the Mumbai Police. I have aided the officials in their investigation by cooperating and carrying out the due diligence on my part. I’ve categorically denied all the allegations levelled against me and made it clear that I was never involved in such practices, nor do I condone them," he said in a statement. "The investigation procedure is being executed in accordance with the law and I have complete faith in the authorities, who are handling this matter. I’d like to thank all those who have conveyed their concern to me. It means a lot to me," he said.
The rapper is being questioned in connection with a racket that sells fake followers and views to social media influencers.
