Hatman killer video fake, was a promotional campaign for Tusshar Kapoor’s Maarich

A video has been doing the rounds on Twitter. It shows a man, in black overalls, wearing a hat, grabbing and stabbing a woman to death. Several people shared the video on their account with the hashtag HatmanKillerInMumbai. Some even tagged Mumbai Police’s Twitter handle and urged action against the perpetrator.

Turns out, the video was a promotional campaign for Tusshar Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Anita Hassanandani Reddy’s upcoming film Maarich. Although the plot of the film is still under wraps, it is a thriller and Tusshar will be essaying the role of a cop. Tusshar and Anita have previously starred in the 2004 mystery thriller Kucch Toh Hain, which was an unofficial remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), and was about a serial killer.

While many believed the video is authentic and were advising people to stay safe. Mumbai Police clarified that the video is fake. “A widely circulated video given the title 'Hatman Killer in Mumbai' shows CCTV footage of the stabbing of a woman in Andheri.

We have confirmed that the clip is completely fake & request all to not share it for it furthers chaos and panic. #FakeNewsAlert.” Fact checker Mohammed Zubair also pointed out that the viral video is part of Maarich’s promotional campaign. “A short clip of a man in a black hat stabbing a woman is viral with the claim & hashtag #HatmanKillerInMumbai that it's actual footage of a crime in Mumbai. Alt News found that the clip was linked to a promo of an upcoming Hindi film #Maarrich,” he posted on Twitter.

The marketing campaign has left Twitterati furious. “#FactCheck#HatmanKillerInMumbai is a paid promotion for @TusshKapoor upcoming movie called #MAARRICH . the makers should be held accountable for this absolute disgrace to spread chaos and fear among the city. ITS FAKE. Dont share it. Fake journo's have shared it for promotion. #SHAME,” tweeted one. “Hello @CPMumbaiPolice @MumbaiPolice, pls arrest him for spreading such scripted videos. This looks like advertising stunt by some agency. But it can spread panic among common people. Pls take it down immediately if not truthful.  #HatMan #HatmanKillerInMumbai #Mumbai #Andheri” posted another.

When the makers of the film were approached to speak about the same, they said, “The Hatman video which is doing rounds on social media was a promotional intrigue video for our film.Our intention is not to scare or create any panic or cause any harm to anyone in the city. Since the Hatman plays a significant part in our film, our intent was to only popularise the character.”

Maarich will be the second film to be produced by Tusshar. He previously produced Akshay Kumar starrer Laxmii.