The actor wrote about his Highway co-star Saharsh Shukla’s family’s assault in Raebareli on his social media page, tagging the state police machinery
Abhishek Shukla (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2017)

Randeep Hooda has come to the rescue of the family members of his Highway co-actor Saharsh Kumar Shukla, who belongs to Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. The family was allegedly assaulted by goons in their village, Lalaganj, on Wednesday evening. Saharsh’s father, Murli Manohar Shukla, a retired government servant, was abused by his neighbours, who were allegedly drunk. After a verbal spat, three men beat him up, barged into his house and beat up the other family members including women. Saharsh’s father suffered multiple fractures in his leg.

“They did not even spare my mother, sister and my grandfather, who is 86-years-old,” says Saharsh, adding, “The family of these men, who assaulted my family, has a criminal background. Most of them have been to jail for various reasons. It’s not only about my family. They have been harassing everyone in the village and no one dares to take any action against them. I shared the local news clippings with Randeep (Hooda) and also sent him a video of the assault requesting him to help. He’s been a mentor to me since my FTII (Film and Television Institute of India, Pune) days. Randeep then told me how to deal with the matter.”

Eventually, Randeep also wrote about the incident on his social media page, tagging Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Smriti Irani (Union Minister) and the UP Police. After the message was put out, the cops sprang into action and replied to him on his page that the matter will be investigated and assured him that action will be initiated against those accused.

Elaborating on the case, Randeep says, “Saharsh told me about this incident. He messaged me and I spoke to him. I also deliberated about what action we could take against this. I thought that even if I go and meet the police personally, which would not be different from what these other guys would do, it won’t help much. So then I thought that the best way to approach such a problem is by putting it out publicly.  Instead of taking a personal favour through someone, which would be the same as these guys seeking a favour at the Lalganj kotwali, I felt it was better to address it on a public platform. I decided to write about it on my social media page. Saharsh has worked with me in Highway and he’s a nice, soft-spoken guy. I felt if I’m in a position to help him, I should not shy away. We should do whatever we can.”