Instagram Reels and short videos have given ordinary people a chance to find instant fame. A simple dance, a stylish pose, or even a short clip at a scenic spot can suddenly reach millions. But behind the glitter of viral fame lies a dangerous truth, some people are paying for it with their lives.
In recent months, India has seen a string of shocking cases where arguments over Reels or risky stunts filmed for social media have ended in tragedy. Families are torn apart, young influencers are dying, and society is left asking: is viral culture pushing people too far?
As one user on social media warned after yet another accident: “Reels are temporary, but broken bones are permanent.”
Greater Noida Dowry Murder: “Stop Making Reels”
In August 2025, the horrific killing of Nikki Bhati, a 26-year-old woman from Greater Noida, stunned the nation. Officially it was called a dowry death, but her passion for Instagram Reels was at the centre of the tragedy.
Police reported that Nikki’s husband, Vipin, and his family had constantly argued with her about making short videos online. They told her to “stop making reels” and even objected when she filmed a beauty parlour promo with her sister. That evening, a furious row broke out. Moments later, Nikki was beaten and set on fire.
Her devastated father asked bitterly: “Would they go as far as to kill their daughter simply because she used Instagram?”
For many, Nikki’s death showed how online expression, something as simple as filming a 30-second video, can become a flashpoint in homes already poisoned by dowry abuse and control.
Haryana Tennis Star Shot Dead
Just weeks earlier, Haryana lost one of its young sporting talents. Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old state-level tennis player, was shot dead by her own father at their home in Gurugram. While police focused on disputes over her tennis academy, reports also revealed another angle: her father disliked her social-media presence. Radhika had built a following, made reels, and even appeared in a music video. According to investigators, her father demanded that she delete the content, upset by villagers’ comments about her online fame.
Although no one officially labelled it a “Reels murder,” the similarities with Nikki’s case were striking: both women were strong, visible online, and their families saw this as a threat.
Reels and Risky Stunts: Accidents That Shocked India
Not all tragedies are murders. Across the country, young creators are losing their lives while chasing likes with daring stunts.
Odisha, August 2025: YouTuber Sagar Tudu, 22, was swept away at Duduma waterfall while filming near the rapids. His final moments, trapped on a rock before the current pulled him away, were captured on camera and widely shared online.
Maharashtra, July 2024: Travel influencer Aanvi Kamdar, with more than 2 lakh followers, fell 300 feet into a gorge at Kumbhe Waterfall while filming a reel. She slipped from a cliff edge, and the video she tried to create cost her life.
Hyderabad, July 2024: Two young men were killed when their bike skidded during a stunt being filmed for Instagram. Police noted that many youths were riding dangerously “not just for thrill, but to get likes on Reels.”
Uttar Pradesh, May 2023: Agastya Chauhan, a 25-year-old biker, died attempting to hit 300 km/h on his superbike for a video. He lost control at nearly 294 km/h, crashed, and never got to upload his reel.
Even non-fatal cases have raised eyebrows: from a woman dancing on a highway while waving a pistol in Kanpur, to two men in Gujarat who drove their SUVs into the sea for an Instagram video. The chase for views has turned into a chase with death.
This is not just an Indian problem. Around the world, hundreds of people have died while taking selfies or recording risky videos. Waterfalls, cliffs, rooftops, all have turned into graveyards for content creators. Many studies warn that every like, share, or view acts like a hit of adrenaline, pushing young people to go further and take greater risks.
Every incident sparks anger and debate. Social-media users flood timelines with warnings: “Why risk your life for a reel?” Newspapers call it a “wake-up call.” Police departments have even launched campaigns telling youngsters: “Don’t make Reels your last memory.”
Are Likes Worth Dying For?
Instagram Reels have given millions a platform, but they’ve also raised dangerous stakes. In the chase for clout, young creators are gambling with their safety, and in some tragic cases, even their lives.
As the saying goes: “No reel is worth your last breath.”
The lesson is simple: social media may bring fame, but it should never come at the cost of life. Real creativity doesn’t need a cliff edge, a racing bike, or a family feud to shine.
Because in the end, some likes are simply not worth dying for.
Inputs from agencies
In recent months, India has seen a string of shocking cases where arguments over Reels or risky stunts filmed for social media have ended in tragedy. Families are torn apart, young influencers are dying, and society is left asking: is viral culture pushing people too far?
As one user on social media warned after yet another accident: “Reels are temporary, but broken bones are permanent.”
Greater Noida Dowry Murder: “Stop Making Reels”
In August 2025, the horrific killing of Nikki Bhati, a 26-year-old woman from Greater Noida, stunned the nation. Officially it was called a dowry death, but her passion for Instagram Reels was at the centre of the tragedy.
Police reported that Nikki’s husband, Vipin, and his family had constantly argued with her about making short videos online. They told her to “stop making reels” and even objected when she filmed a beauty parlour promo with her sister. That evening, a furious row broke out. Moments later, Nikki was beaten and set on fire.
Her devastated father asked bitterly: “Would they go as far as to kill their daughter simply because she used Instagram?”
For many, Nikki’s death showed how online expression, something as simple as filming a 30-second video, can become a flashpoint in homes already poisoned by dowry abuse and control.
Haryana Tennis Star Shot Dead
Just weeks earlier, Haryana lost one of its young sporting talents. Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old state-level tennis player, was shot dead by her own father at their home in Gurugram. While police focused on disputes over her tennis academy, reports also revealed another angle: her father disliked her social-media presence. Radhika had built a following, made reels, and even appeared in a music video. According to investigators, her father demanded that she delete the content, upset by villagers’ comments about her online fame.
Although no one officially labelled it a “Reels murder,” the similarities with Nikki’s case were striking: both women were strong, visible online, and their families saw this as a threat.
Reels and Risky Stunts: Accidents That Shocked India
Not all tragedies are murders. Across the country, young creators are losing their lives while chasing likes with daring stunts.
Odisha, August 2025: YouTuber Sagar Tudu, 22, was swept away at Duduma waterfall while filming near the rapids. His final moments, trapped on a rock before the current pulled him away, were captured on camera and widely shared online.
Maharashtra, July 2024: Travel influencer Aanvi Kamdar, with more than 2 lakh followers, fell 300 feet into a gorge at Kumbhe Waterfall while filming a reel. She slipped from a cliff edge, and the video she tried to create cost her life.
Hyderabad, July 2024: Two young men were killed when their bike skidded during a stunt being filmed for Instagram. Police noted that many youths were riding dangerously “not just for thrill, but to get likes on Reels.”
Uttar Pradesh, May 2023: Agastya Chauhan, a 25-year-old biker, died attempting to hit 300 km/h on his superbike for a video. He lost control at nearly 294 km/h, crashed, and never got to upload his reel.
Even non-fatal cases have raised eyebrows: from a woman dancing on a highway while waving a pistol in Kanpur, to two men in Gujarat who drove their SUVs into the sea for an Instagram video. The chase for views has turned into a chase with death.
This is not just an Indian problem. Around the world, hundreds of people have died while taking selfies or recording risky videos. Waterfalls, cliffs, rooftops, all have turned into graveyards for content creators. Many studies warn that every like, share, or view acts like a hit of adrenaline, pushing young people to go further and take greater risks.
Every incident sparks anger and debate. Social-media users flood timelines with warnings: “Why risk your life for a reel?” Newspapers call it a “wake-up call.” Police departments have even launched campaigns telling youngsters: “Don’t make Reels your last memory.”
Are Likes Worth Dying For?
Instagram Reels have given millions a platform, but they’ve also raised dangerous stakes. In the chase for clout, young creators are gambling with their safety, and in some tragic cases, even their lives.
As the saying goes: “No reel is worth your last breath.”
The lesson is simple: social media may bring fame, but it should never come at the cost of life. Real creativity doesn’t need a cliff edge, a racing bike, or a family feud to shine.
Because in the end, some likes are simply not worth dying for.
Inputs from agencies
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