Bollywood’s glamorous world is often lit with spotlights, paparazzi flashes, and red-carpet moments. But every now and then, the glitter gets clouded by incidents that feel far too real. For actor Disha Patani, her family recently found themselves in the middle of a storm, one that started online, spilled into real life, and shook their quiet Bareilly home.
Early Friday morning, two unidentified men reportedly opened fire outside the Civil Lines residence of Disha’s family. Although no one was harmed, the incident was sufficient to create shockwaves across the city and generate extensive speculation over the motivations for such an attack. The drama over Disha’s elder sister, Khushboo Patni, who had made provocative remarks about a spiritual guru recently, soon had fingers being pointed in her direction.
But Jagdish Patani, Disha’s father, has now stepped out to put the record straight, strongly supporting his daughters and clearing the air about the family’s position.
The Controversy That Unraveled
It started when Khushboo Patani, the elder sister of Disha and a former military officer, expressed outrage against comments that were purportedly made by spiritual preacher Aniruddhacharya. He had reportedly suggested that women who remain unmarried beyond the age of 25 are often “promiscuous.” Khushboo, like many women who found the remarks offensive and regressive, spoke up.
Her criticism quickly went viral. But in the noisy world of social media, where statements are often twisted, her remarks were soon misattributed to Premanand Ji Maharaj, another spiritual figure. By the time Khushboo clarified on Instagram that her words were wrongly linked and that she had no intention of targeting Premanand Ji Maharaj, the damage had already been done.
Jagdish Patani Breaks His Silence
As news of the firing spread, speculation linked it to the online storm surrounding Khushboo’s remarks. Disha’s father, Jagdish Patani, however, was quick to refute such connections. Speaking to ANI, he expressed disappointment at how his daughter’s words were being twisted.
“Khushboo was misrepresented. Her name was dragged into the matter of Premanand Ji Maharaj. We are Sanatanis, and we respect the sadhus and saints. If someone is misrepresenting her statement, it is a conspiracy to demean us,” he said firmly.
The veteran police officer, now retired, highlighted that their family has always respected spiritual leaders and traditions. His statement was not just a defense of his daughter but also a reminder of how fragile reputations can be in an era of viral half-truths.
Police Step In
The firing outside the Patani residence wasn’t treated lightly. According to SSP Bareilly, Anurag Arya, two men on a motorbike were responsible for the shots fired. Though no injuries were reported, the incident has been classified as serious.
“An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station under various sections. Armed police personnel have been deployed for the protection of the family members,” Arya confirmed.
He further assured the family and the public that five police teams, headed by senior officials, had been formed to track down the culprits. “We will take strict action against the accused. I personally met with the family and have assured them of their safety,” he added.
For now, the Patanis are under police protection while the investigation continues.
What Happens Next?
Disha Patani has so far not uttered a word on the issue, not releasing any official statement. Khushboo too, after making her stand clear earlier, has not made any more comments. The need of the hour for the Patani family is safety, and they have been assured by the Bareilly police of every possible help.
As investigations continue, all can hope that the truth comes out clearly, first and foremost regarding the attack itself, and secondly regarding the misrepresentation that apparently brought it on. Above all, the incident reminds us of how important it is to maintain not only physical security but also reputations and freedom of speech.
Final Thoughts
This is not the first instance when public figures and their families have been at the mercy of trolls, fake news, and misplaced anger. However, the Patani family’s saga informs us of the human aspect of such events: a father concerned about his daughters, a sister misrepresented in the cyber echo chamber, and a celebrity family grappling with something far greater than the tinsel of Bollywood.
At its heart, this is a tale of truth and safety, both things that can never be given up, no matter how great the din that engulfs us.