MP Villagers Dig For Mughal-Era Gold After Watching Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava. Yes, Really

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The treasure hunt lasted from 7 PM to 3 AM before the police arrived and put an end to the search.

Villagers were inspired by the movie. (Representative Image)

Villagers were inspired by the movie. (Representative Image)

The Vicky Kaushal starrer Chhaava was released in theatres on February 14. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the historical drama has become the biggest blockbuster of 2025 so far. The film has been well received by both audiences and critics, with strong box office numbers reflecting its popularity. From arriving at cinemas on horseback to chanting “Jai Bhavani” inside theatres, the Chhaava fever shows no sign of slowing down. Now, it appears the film has inspired villagers in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, to dig for buried Mughal-era gold near Asirgarh Fort.

A large crowd reportedly gathered near the fort, convinced that Mughal-era treasure lay beneath the soil. Inspired by the film’s plot, people dug up fields late into the night, with some even using metal detectors to search for gold.

Several videos of the incident have gone viral on social media. The treasure hunt lasted from 7 PM to 3 AM before the police arrived and halted the search.

A journalist, Kashif Kakvi, shared a video of the incident on X, showing villagers digging in the fields with flashlights. “After watching Bollywood film Chhaava, villagers near Asirgarh Fort in Burhanpur (MP) launched a gold hunt after dawn. With flashlights & metal detectors, they’ve been digging fields, chasing rumours of Mughal-era treasure! The gold diggers ran away when police arrived,” he tweeted.

Watch the viral video here:

The clip quickly gained traction online, sparking mixed reactions. Some found it amusing, while others expressed disbelief. One user wrote, “Men end up as ‘Gold Diggers’.” Another commented, “Indians have been destroying many such medieval and ancient structures by digging for gold everywhere.” Someone said, “Looks like Bollywood just turned fiction into reality! Who knew a movie could spark a real-life treasure hunt? Wonder if they found anything before the police showed up!”

Based on Shivaji Sawant’s iconic Marathi novel Chhava, the film stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It also stars Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb.

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    Delhi, India, India

News viral MP Villagers Dig For Mughal-Era Gold After Watching Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava. Yes, Really