Sonu Sood Faces Backlash for Riding Shirtless Without Helmet in Spiti; Police to Take Action

Actor Sonu Sood has come under heavy criticism after videos of him riding a motorcycle without a helmet or proper safety gear in Himachal Pradesh’s Spiti Valley surfaced online—especially since he has previously spoken out about road safety.

The controversy erupted after an Instagram page posted multiple clips of the actor exploring the snow-covered mountains of Spiti. One of the most widely circulated videos shows Sonu riding shirtless, wearing only shorts and sunglasses, with no helmet. The text overlay on the video reads, “Yeh Spiti hai… yahan sirf asli log chalte hain”. In another clip, he can be seen interacting with fellow bikers and removing his helmet before speaking to them.

While some other videos show him wearing a helmet, it was the shirtless, helmet-free video that gained the most traction online and triggered backlash. Social media users expressed disappointment, especially given his status as a public figure. One user commented, “Please wear riding gear and helmet… You’ve been a great example of kindness and inspiration. Don’t encourage unsafe riding, especially in difficult terrain.” Another wrote, “So-called star riding without helmet and gear.”

Frustration was evident across platforms. “Will @himachalpolice take any action on @SonuSood for riding without a helmet in Spiti? No protective gear, no clothes—what is he trying to promote?” questioned one user on X (formerly Twitter). Others expressed concern over the growing trend of reckless behavior by tourists in fragile mountain regions. “This obnoxious trend is becoming like an epidemic… Why doesn’t the law take strict action?” one user wrote. Another joked, “Only helmets are required, apparently there’s no law about shirts.”

Amid the growing criticism, the Lahaul-Spiti police released an official statement on X. They confirmed that they had seen the viral video and that an investigation was underway. “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,” the post read.

The police added that the matter is being looked into by the DySP Headquarters in Kyelang and that appropriate legal action will be taken if necessary. “District Police Lahaul-Spiti appeals to all citizens and tourists to follow traffic rules and adopt disciplined and responsible behavior,” the statement concluded.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about road safety, especially in high-risk travel zones like the Himalayas, where even minor accidents can have serious consequences.