Shah Rukh Khan's 'Darr', Shahid Kapoor's 'Farzi', Yash's 'KGF2': Movies that inspired real-life crimes

In the world of cinema, the boundary between fiction and reality often blurs, creating powerful narratives that captivate audiences. However, sometimes these stories take a darker turn, inspiring real-life crimes. This feature delves into some chilling cases where movies not only entertained but also influenced individuals to commit unlawful acts, showcasing the unsettling impact of art imitating life and life imitating art. Take a look...

Six individuals were recently apprehended by Karnataka police for producing counterfeit currency, allegedly inspired by Shahid Kapoor's web series Farzi. The gang, arrested in Belagavi, Karnataka, was accused of printing fake Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes.

In June 2024, Shivprasad Dhurve, also known as Halka Dhurve, received a life sentence for a string of murders he committed in 2022. Dhurve, who terrorized night guards in Sagar and Bhopal, fatally attacked five people while they were asleep on duty. During his arrest and court transport, Dhurve revealed that he was inspired by Rocky Bhai, a character portrayed by Yash in KGF 2.

Delhi teenagers, inspired by the film Pushpa, allegedly killed an innocent person to elevate their status as gangsters. In a separate incident, a smuggler, also motivated by Allu Arjun’s portrayal in Pushpa, attempted to evade the police while smuggling sandalwood.

In January, a young mother in Surat, influenced by Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam film series, killed her two-year-old son, Veer. The case mirrored the film's plot: Nayna, a laborer, reported her son missing and joined the search efforts. However, CCTV footage showing no signs of Veer leaving the house led to suspicions. After further questioning, Nayna confessed to the crime.

In 2016, Snapdeal employee Devendra admitted to abducting Deepti Sharma, citing inspiration from the 1993 Shah Rukh Khan film Darr, in which Khan portrayed a psychopathic stalker obsessed with his love interest.