Bollywood’s brightest have long danced on the edge of danger, but the brazen kidnapping of comedian Bhai Prak has pulled back the curtain on a chilling trend. Long before his name trended with #PrayForBhaiPrak, other actors stared down the barrel of death threats that nearly derailed their careers.

Flashback to last summer: Action hero Vikrant Oberoi got a midnight call promising a bullet if he signed that biopic. His team scrambled, hiring ex-cops for surveillance while he powered through shoots under armed guard. Not far behind, actress Neha Kapoor faced a barrage of emails laced with personal details, hinting at stalkers who knew her every move. She stepped away from the spotlight for weeks, citing mental health.

Bhai Prak’s case marks a dangerous escalation. Snatched from his gym in Andheri, the funnyman was held for what felt like eternity before being dumped on a highway outskirts. ‘I joked my way out,’ he quipped later, masking trauma with trademark humor. But beneath the levity lies a serious issue: why are entertainers prime targets?

Criminologists attribute it to easy publicity and fat paychecks. ‘Kidnappers see stars as ATMs,’ notes Prof. Anita Rao from Delhi University. Social media amplifies the risk, turning private lives public fodder for threats. Bhai Prak’s routine mocking corrupt officials may have painted a bullseye on him.

Industry bigwigs are responding. The Film Association announced mandatory threat assessment protocols for shoots. Comedians, often the boldest critics, are forming safety nets. Yet, as investigations drag, more stories surface—of ignored warnings and brushed-off perils.

This wave of violence underscores a grim reality: fame’s price tag includes fear. Bhai Prak’s safe return is a relief, but until root causes like cyberstalking and organized crime are tackled, no star is truly safe. The laughter must continue, but not at the cost of lives.