Indore Teen Duo Steals ₹16 Lakh Worth of Jewellery Inspired by ‘Bunty Aur Babli’
From Bollywood inspired thefts to murder and robberies, experts warn that films can mislead some into believing crime is glamorous
Indore, Dec 26 : What begins as a cinematic fantasy can quickly turn into harsh reality. In Indore, an 18 year old graphic designer and his female friend, also 18, were arrested for stealing jewellery worth over ₹16 lakh, inspired by the Bollywood film Bunty Aur Babli. The duo carried out the theft on December 22 in Rau, Indore, and fled to Bhopal, only to be tracked down by police who recovered all the stolen items.
The young man told police that losing his part time job to AI tools had left him financially desperate, and the duo, from economically weak backgrounds, believed the crime could solve their problems. However, their attempt to sell the jewellery failed, and police intervened before they could try again.
Experts note that Bollywood films often glamorise crime, sometimes leading vulnerable individuals to misinterpret fiction as guidance. Similar cases in India illustrate this troubling trend:
Hobart Stalking Case (2015): Sandesh Baliga, an Indian student in Tasmania, stalked women over months, citing Bollywood films as influence. His obsession led to legal consequences in Australia.
‘Rustom’ and the Nanavati Case (1959): A real-life murder case inspired films like Rustom, showing how personal emotions and perceived societal codes led to extreme acts.
‘Drishyam’ Murder in Pune (2025): Samir Jadhav allegedly murdered his wife and attempted to destroy evidence, claiming inspiration from the film’s “perfect crime” plot.
‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’ Gang in Delhi: A 23-year-old Sagar attempted to emulate gangster Maya Dolas, forming his own gang and engaging in armed robbery, only to be caught and injured by police.
These cases underscore a chilling reality: when cinematic fiction blurs the line between right and wrong, some viewers may mistake entertainment for instruction. Real life, unlike movies, does not offer retakes, background scores, or heroic justifications it only delivers consequences.
While films remain a powerful mirror of society, law enforcement and experts caution audiences, especially youth, about conflating reel-life thrills with real life actions.
