New Delhi: Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has talked about the heated controversy that broke out after a video of him riding a motorbike in Spiti Valley without a helmet went viral. The Spiti Police confirmed an investigation after the video went viral, claiming it showed a blatant disregard for traffic laws.
Sonu Sood responded to the criticism by explaining the video's background on X, previously Twitter. “Safety First. We always abide by the laws, an old clip without the helmet was a part of our script. So kindly ignore. RIDE SAFE. RIDE SMART. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET," he wrote. While Sood did not specify which project the scene was shot for, he emphasized that the footage was not a real-life incident but part of a scripted sequence.
Sonu Sood showed off his responsible side by sharing a video of himself riding a bike while wearing a helmet with the message.
The original video drew criticism not only because Sood was seen flouting traffic regulations, but also because he has previously advocated for safe driving and participated in road safety campaigns. The video, captioned "Ye Spiti hai... yahan sirf asli log chalte hain (This is Spiti. Only real walk this land)," further fueled the controversy.
Spiti Police's Response
The Spiti Valley police stated in a statement on X that they will pursue legal action in response to public criticism and the viral video. “A video is going viral on social media in which a Bollywood actor is seen violating traffic rules in Lahaul-Spiti district. According to preliminary information, the video appears to be from the year 2023,” their note read.
They added, "Whatever necessary action is required as per the law, it will be taken by the district police. District Police Lahaul-Spiti appeals to all citizens and tourists to follow traffic rules and adopt disciplined and responsible behaviour."