Indore’s ‘Pushpa-Shekhawat’ bike stunt: From viral fame to legal shame

K K Jha
Indore: Indore, a city known for its vibrant culture and occasional eccentric acts that capture national attention, is back in the spotlight. This time, it’s for a cinematic re-enactment of characters from the hit Bollywood franchise Pushpa.
On Monday evening, two men riding a bike turned heads as they bore a striking resemblance to Pushpa Raj (played by Allu Arjun) and Inspector Shekhawat (portrayed by Fahadh Faasil). The rider imitated Pushpa’s signature ‘beard stroke’ gesture, while the pillion, dressed as a policeman with a bald look, lit a cigarette. This quirky display delighted commuters, with many capturing videos that quickly went viral on social media.
The light-hearted spectacle, however, soon took a serious turn. The pillion rider was identified as a serving police constable, Jitendra Tanwar, stationed at the Police Radio Training School. His involvement in the act triggered a departmental inquiry for indiscipline and breaching departmental protocols.
Moreover, the duo faced legal repercussions for multiple violations. A traffic challan was issued for riding without helmets, and the Indore Municipal Corporation fined them for smoking in a public area.
This isn’t the first time Indore has made headlines for unique but controversial public acts. In 2021, a video of a Zomato delivery girl dancing to popular Bollywood tunes while on duty went viral. While she garnered social media fame, she also faced criticism for neglecting her work responsibilities.
Similarly, in another instance, a man dressed as the Joker from The Dark Knight was spotted riding a horse through busy city streets, reenacting the villain’s menacing aura. Though applauded for creativity, such acts often invite scrutiny for disrupting public order.

The Bigger Picture

What begins as innocent fun or a creative outlet often spirals into a cautionary tale. The Pushpa reenactment serves as a reminder of the fine line between entertainment and accountability. Public figures, including uniformed personnel, carry a responsibility to uphold laws and standards, regardless of their off-duty hours.

Indore’s penchant for going viral underscores the need to balance creativity with civic responsibility. While the city’s love for dramatics keeps it in the limelight, such acts should inspire positive engagement rather than legal repercussions.