Viral Video: Madhya Pradesh Villagers Go On A Chhaava-Inspired Treasure Hunt—Did They Find Mughal Gold?

The historical drama 'Chhaava,' starring Vicky Kaushal, was released in cinemas on February 14 and has become the biggest blockbuster of 2025 so far. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film has received widespread praise from both audiences and critics. With strong box office earnings and enthusiastic responses, 'Chhaava' fever continues to grow. In a surprising turn of events, the film has now inspired a group of villagers in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, to search for buried Mughal-era treasure near Asirgarh Fort.

According to reports, a large crowd gathered near the fort, believing that gold from the Mughal period was hidden underground. Taking inspiration from the film's storyline, the villagers began digging in the fields, some even using metal detectors in their search. The treasure hunt started at around 7 PM and lasted until 3 AM when the police arrived and put a stop to it.

Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media. Journalist Kashif Kakvi shared a clip on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing villagers digging with flashlights. "After watching Chhaava, villagers near Asirgarh Fort in Burhanpur launched a gold hunt. With flashlights and metal detectors, they have been digging fields, chasing rumours of Mughal-era treasure! The gold diggers ran away when police arrived," he wrote.

The video has sparked mixed reactions online. While some users found the situation amusing, others expressed concern over the destruction of historical sites. One person joked, "Men end up as 'Gold Diggers'." Another wrote, "Indians are ruining historical sites in the name of treasure hunting."

Chhaava is based on Shivaji Sawant's Marathi novel Chhava and stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, alongside Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb.