Bollywood: a world of dreams, drama, and… drama in prison too! ???? You know you’re in India when your favorite hero can perform an action sequence on-screen and a courtroom scene off-screen!
A tongue-in-cheek (but real) list of 10 Bollywood stars who ended up in prison, along with what they did, when they did it, and how long they had to swap their vanity vans for police vans.
1. Salman Khan – Bhai in Courtroom, Again!
- Why : Blackbuck Poaching (1998)
- Hit-and-Run Case (2002)
- Jail Time: Poaching: 5 years sentenced, ~2 weeks served before bail , Hit-and-run: Acquitted in 2015
2. Akshay Kumar – Fashion Show out of Control
- Why: Obscene act in a public place (wife Twinkle unbuttoned his jeans at the fashion show)
- When: 2009
- Jail Time: Detained for some time, out on bail
Mr. Khiladi became Mr. Thoda Zyada Bold at a fashion show in Mumbai. When walking on the ramp, Twinkle Khanna unbuttoned his jeans – live, in public. Mumbai Police observed, “Bro, this ain’t Netflix.”
Akshay: Wanted a standing ovation, received a court summons instead.
3. Vijay Raaz – Airport to Jail-port
- Why: Arrested with drugs (allegedly)
- When: 2005
- Jail Time: A few days in Dubai jail
- Vijay Raaz – the “kauwa biryani” man of Run – hit the headlines for the wrong reason. Dubai Police detected suspicious materials on him at the airport. While others were flying Emirates, he took a side trip to “Emirates Jail.”
Airport lounge to jail cell, that is what we may call an improvement to business class (of crime)!
4. Sanjay Dutt – Munna Bhai Goes Real Life Bhai
- Why: Illegal possession of weapons under the TADA Act (1993)
- When: Arrested in 1993, sentenced in 2013
- Jail Time: 5 years (spent in Pune’s Yerwada Jail
From Munna Bhai MBBS to Munna Bhai A-Class Prisoner, Sanju baba’s life was a movie – which was later turned into a movie. His prison life had it all: drama, emotion, Gandhigiri (optional).
Inmates: “Sir autographs please!”
Sanjay: “Lage raho prisoners bhai!”
5. Shiney Ahuja – From Rising Star to Falling Star
- Why: Rape charges (2009)
- Jail Time: Convicted for 7 years, spent ~3 months in jail before bail
Shiney Ahuja’s Bollywood dream turned into a nightmare when his domestic help accused him of rape. His career fell faster than his IMDB ratings. Though the victim later recanted, the damage was done.
His second movie was titled “Ghost.” Apt, as that’s how his career turned out.
6. Rajpal Yadav – EMI Ke Peeche Jail Gayi Janta
- Why: Not paying back a loan of ₹5 crore
- When: 2013 (first arrest), imprisoned again in 2018
- Jail Time: 3 months
Our beloved comic actor defaulted on a massive loan he borrowed to direct a movie (which bombed worse than a fish on land). Court said “Paise do,” Rajpal said “Main Mazak Kar Raha Tha!”
Moral: Laughter is not the best currency.
7. Fardeen Khan – Coke Studio? Nah, Just Cocaine
- Why: Caught purchasing cocaine in Mumbai
- When: 2001
- Jail Time: Spent 5 days in custody
Fardeen Khan, Bollywood’s “missing person,” was caught red-handed attempting to purchase drugs. He later claimed it was for “personal use.” Court replied, “Too personal, beta.”
Cocaine, career. both went down the drain.
8. Saif Ali Khan – became un-saif ali khan
- Why: Punched an NRI at Taj Hotel, Mumbai
- When: 2012
- Jail Time: Detained, later released on bail
Picture having dinner and winding up with a black eye courtesy of a Nawab. That’s what exactly transpired when Saif experienced an “Anger Management – The Nawabi Edition” episode. Charges? Assault.
Dinner date to court date.
9. John Abraham – Dhoom Mein Doom
- Why: Rash driving, hurt two individuals
- When: 2006
- Jail Time: 15 days sentenced, 1 day in jail spent
John was doing a bit of Dhoom in real life, zooming his bike on Mumbai roads. He hit two pedestrians and was arrested. But instead of a chase scene, he got court scenes.
From bike stunts to bail receipts – life’s a full circle.
10. sardar khan – kaa kiye ? koot diye !!
- slapped MLA J.P right in front of S.P in police station