Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has been facing criticism after a video of him riding a motorcycle without a helmet or any protective gear in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, recently went viral. Sood has previously advocated for road safety and responsible travel. In the video, the actor is seen shirtless, wearing sunglasses, and leading a group of bikers through the valley, without any safety gear. The clip was originally shared by the Instagram account Ride With Victor. Notably, other videos on the same handle show the actor wearing proper safety equipment, including a helmet, during parts of the ride. However, it was the video which showed Sood without a helmet that drew the most attention and sparked a debate. A user on X questioned the disregard for road safety rules, and wrote, "So will @himachalpolice take any action on @SonuSood for riding naked without a helmet in Spiti? No protective gear, no clothes – for god knows what he is trying to promote. Are celebrities above the law?" Watch here: So will @himachalpolice take any action on @SonuSood for riding naked without a helmet in Spiti? No protective gear, no clothes — for god knows what he is trying to promote. Are celebrities above the law?@splahhp #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/3XUDBYkXqN — Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) May 26, 2025 Responding to the backlash, the Lahaul-Spiti police issued an official statement confirming that they were looking into the matter. "A video is going viral on social media in which a Bollywood actor is seen violating traffic rules in the Lahaul-Spiti district. According to preliminary information, the video appears to be from the year 2023. The task of investigating its authenticity has been handed over to DSP, Headquarters, Kyelang," the statement read. "Necessary action, as per the law, will be taken by the district police. The Lahaul-Spiti district police appeals to all citizens and tourists to follow traffic rules and adopt disciplined and responsible behaviour," it added. See here: pic.twitter.com/3wuEFkbbbk — Lahaul & Spiti Police (@splahhp) May 26, 2025 As the video continues to circulate, it has sparked a debate as several social media users backed Sood. "Let there be some enjoyment too- He is not harming anybody. Stop this constant hatefulness. Live your life bro. This is not a concern; but sheer jealousy," a user wrote. "Leave him alone! He is a great guy I hear and he is not hurting anyone. Please focus on the real culprits," another user commented. "What a foolish thing to do. Attention seeking behaviour," a third user reacted.
