Mumbai’s glitzy celebrity circles have been shaken by a series of brazen thefts targeting Bhojpuri cinema icons. The latest victim is actor and MP Manoj Tiwari, whose Andheri West flat was robbed of Rs 5.4 lakh in cash. The first incident occurred in June 2025 when Rs 4.4 lakh vanished without a trace. Undeterred, Tiwari installed hidden CCTV cameras in December. On January 15, the cameras captured the thief in action, making off with another Rs 1 lakh. Investigations revealed the culprit was Tiwari’s former domestic help, who used duplicate keys to gain entry. Police have arrested the suspect, but the breach has spotlighted glaring security lapses among high-profile stars.
This isn’t an isolated case. Bhojpuri powerhouse Pawan Singh faced a similar ordeal at his Ara, Bihar residence. Thieves smashed a window, fleeing with jewelry worth Rs 15 lakh, 30 rifle bullets, and Rs 15,000 in cash. Fortunately, they couldn’t access his rifle. Pawan’s brother filed an FIR, prompting a police and forensic probe.
Even leading lady Amrapali Dubey wasn’t spared. During a film shoot in Ayodhya, thieves stole her mobile phone and valuable jewelry from her hotel room, valued at lakhs. Chaos ensued at the hotel, but CCTV footage led to swift arrests. Amrapali praised the police response publicly.
In a tragic twist, former Bhojpuri actress Mitali Sharma was caught begging and stealing on Mumbai streets, a far cry from her days as directors’ favorite. Struggling with unemployment and mental health, she was hospitalized by police. These incidents underscore the vulnerabilities lurking beneath the glamour of Bhojpuri stardom, urging celebrities to bolster their defenses.