Punjabi Influencer Mad Sandhu Shot Dead in Amritsar; Two Bike-Borne Assailants Opened Fire

Punjabi social-media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu, known for his outspoken views on LGBTQ+ rights, was shot dead by two unidentified men in Amritsar on Saturday evening, in a killing that has sent shockwaves through Punjab's influencer community.

According to police, the incident took place around 6 pm on Loharka Road when two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at Sandhu, who was on the road after giving his car for washing. He suffered multiple bullet injuries and died while being taken to a private hospital.

A video purportedly showing the aftermath of the shooting has circulated widely on social media, showing Sandhu lying injured on the road as his associates tried to lift him. Police sources said two empty bullet shells were recovered from the scene and multiple teams have been formed to identify and arrest the assailants.

'Solid leads', say police

Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said Sandhu, the son of a retired Punjab Police sub-inspector, lived in a residential colony under the jurisdiction of the Amritsar Rural police.

'Police have solid leads and we will soon nab the culprits and ensure exemplary punishment for them,' Gill said. He added that police were investigating the incident from multiple angles to uncover the actual motive behind the killing.

A life lived openly

Sandhu, whose full first name was Madhusudan, had begun his professional career in the fashion industry as a stylist and assistant costume designer in films in Punjab and Mumbai. He shot to fame through Instagram reels and viral videos, sharing makeup and luxury lifestyle tips along with open commentary on social norms, LGBTQ+ acceptance and pop culture, and had acting roles in Punjabi films such as the 'Oye Bhole Oye' series.

He made no secret of being gay, often hitting back at homophobic trolling on social media with his trademark line — 'God has made me the way I am'. According to reports, Sandhu had recently been involved in a controversy with a Nihang jathedar over his social-media content and clothing. He had reportedly said he had changed his ways and alleged that his old videos were being reshared to manufacture controversy.

His killing comes a little over a year after the June 2025 murder of social-media influencer Kanchan Kumari, known as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, in a case that drew attention to allegations of vigilante-style moral policing of influencers in Punjab. There is no indication so far that the two killings are connected, but the resemblance has drawn wide attention.

Second shooting the same evening

The Amritsar shooting was followed by another fatal shooting in Punjab on Friday night. In Mullanpur, Ludhiana, unidentified assailants opened fire on a car carrying two young men. Ladi Khan of Bhundri village, who was driving, was struck by several bullets and died; the other occupant managed to flee. Police suspect personal enmity in that case.