Killer Reels: From dowry murders to deadly stunts, how India’s viral video craze has sparked murders, accidents & public outrage

Instagram Reels and similar short video formats are providing a platform for many individuals to achieve sudden popularity. However, recent events in India highlight troubling trends linked to viral fame, with incidents resulting in severe consequences, including fatalities.

In August 2025, Nikki Bhati, a 26-year-old woman from Greater Noida, was murdered by her husband following escalating disputes over her filmmaking activities on Instagram. Police reports indicated arguments related to her content creation and her family’s opposition to her online presence. This case raises concerns about the potential dangers associated with social media in domestic settings, particularly regarding cultural pressures such as dowry.

In a separate case, 25-year-old tennis player Radhika Yadav was shot by her father in Gurugram, following disagreements about her social media activities. Her father was reportedly discontent with her digital presence and insisted that she cease her online engagements, particularly her content creation.

Additionally, other tragedies have occurred involving creators engaged in high-risk stunts for views. Notable incidents include the deaths of Sagar Tudu, who was swept away while filming near a waterfall, and travel influencer Aanvi Kamdar, who fell to her death while trying to capture a video. These occurrences underline a broader issue, as researchers claim that young people may be taking increasing risks to gain social media attention.

As concerns about the impact of viral culture grow, community and family dynamics require critical examination to ensure safety while engaging with social media platforms.