Renowned comedian and actor Sunil Pal, known for his comedic timing and appearances in films like Phir Hera Pheri and Bombay to Goa, recently experienced a terrifying ordeal. On December 2, 2024, Pal left Mumbai for what he believed was a show in Haridwar. However, the booking turned out to be a sinister trap. He was kidnapped and held captive, only to be released after paying a ransom.
Pal’s wife became concerned when communication with him ceased, filed a missing person report at the Santacruz police station on December 3. Hours later, Pal was found safe, returning to Mumbai on December 4.
In an interview, Pal recounted the harrowing experience. “I am safe and back home,” he shared. Upon reaching Haridwar, Pal realized something was wrong when he was blindfolded and taken away. During the one-and-a-half-hour journey, the kidnappers initially treated him well, but their motives soon became clear. They demanded a hefty ransom, telling him, “We don’t want anything else from you, just give us money.”
At first, the kidnappers demanded Rs 20 lakh. Pal, realizing the seriousness of the situation, negotiated the amount down to Rs 10 lakh. He explained that the kidnappers took contact numbers of his friends, using them to coordinate the ransom transfer. Eventually, Rs 7.50 lakh was paid, after which he was released around 6:30 PM.
Throughout the ordeal, Pal was blindfolded and could not identify his captors. “They only removed the blindfold when necessary,” he said. Their faces remained covered, leaving him unable to recognize them. Pal described the experience as incredibly stressful, saying, “I couldn’t think clearly. They released me on the highway near Meerut.”
The comedian revealed that the kidnappers dropped him off near Meerut Road, not far from a metro station leading to Ghaziabad. It was already 7 PM, and he had a flight to catch. Surprisingly, the kidnappers handed him Rs 20,000 for his flight ticket, instructing him to remove the blindfold only after they had left.
“They said they weren’t bad people and wanted me to return safely to my wife and children,” Pal shared, adding that the kidnappers seemed more interested in the money than causing harm.
Speculation soon arose about whether the incident was a publicity stunt. Addressing the rumors, Pal strongly refuted them. He explained that if it were a PR stunt, he wouldn’t have disclosed the ransom details. He also clarified that he had instructed his friend to keep the ransom arrangement confidential. However, when he didn’t return home, his family grew concerned and reported him missing, leading to police involvement.
Pal’s abduction lasted less than 24 hours, but it left him shaken. He emphasized how terrifying the experience was and expressed gratitude for the safe outcome.
Professionally, Sunil Pal remains a beloved figure in Indian comedy. His rise to fame began when he won The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005, and he has since built a career entertaining audience across the country. Despite this traumatic incident, Pal assured fans that he is now safe and back home, ready to move forward.