Punjabi influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu killed in Amritsar shooting
Mad Sandhu, a Punjabi makeup artist and social media influencer, was shot by two men on a motorcycle in Amritsar and died while being taken to hospital.
Two men on a motorcycle shot Punjabi makeup artist and influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar on Saturday evening, around 6 p.m. Police reached the location and discovered him bleeding on the road, later confirming he died while being transported to a hospital. A video of the victim lying in blood went viral on social platforms. Sandhu, whose full first name was Madhusudan, was a regular guest on podcasts discussing makeup, cinema and gender topics, and he openly identified as gay, often confronting homophobic comments online.
He began his career as a stylist and assistant costume designer on Punjabi and Mumbai film projects before gaining a large following through Instagram reels that mixed fashion tips with commentary on social norms and LGBTQ+ acceptance. He also acted in the ‘Oye Bhole Oye’ film series. Authorities have begun a criminal investigation into the shooting.
Why it matters
The killing highlights violence against LGBTQ+ public figures and raises concerns about safety for social media influencers in India.
In this story
