Bollywood biker films blamed for road accidents

AFP, January, 2007

MUMBAI (AFP) — Two blockbuster biker films have been slammed by a top transport official, who blamed their dangerous action scenes for an increase in accidents. Hit films, "Dhoom" (Have a blast) and its sequel "Dhoom 2, feature a series of adventurous motorcycle stunts by the top stars of Bollywood, as the Hindi-language film industry based in western Mumbai city is known.

"Most young men try to imitate movie stunts on their bikes, which results in serious accidents," said Shyamsunder D. Shinde, the top transport official in Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital. "Nearly 70 percent of accidents occur at high speed due ...