MUMBAI: Television actor Amarr Upadhyay has been provided police protection after five armed robbers yesterday looted the office of his recently formed marketing firm.

DP Singh, an employee at M/s Mihir Virani (the TV name that made Upadhyay famous) Multitrade Pvt Ltd in Mumbai's central suburb of Kurla, was robbed of a diamond ring worth Rs 125,000. The robbers, also decamped with cash worth Rs 250,000. The robbers also made a ransom demand that Upadhyay should cough up Rs 2.5 million within a week's time "or face the consequences.

Upadhyay, of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand fame, about five months ago formed a marketing firm Mihir Virani Multitrade, located on the third floor of Deep Plaza, Kurla (West). The firm markets ayurvedic drugs.

When contacted, Upadhyay said, "I have lodged a police complaint and have been given adequate police protection. Two of them are patrolling outside my office, while two more are with me if and when I am traveling. The police are very positive about nabbing the culprits. In fact, at the moment, I am driving down to identify some suspects who have been cornered. My managing director is confident of identifying them."

Recounting the incident, Upadhyay said five men entered the office premises while he was away and held a gun to the head of managing director Akshay Thakker. As the crooks making their gateway, they warned Thakker that he should keep Rs 2.5 million ready within the next seven days as a ransom amount.

According to the Upadhyay, the robbers were in the age group of 25 to 29 years, spoke Marathi and Hindi and seemed in an inebriated state and were constantly using foul language.