Lights, camera, absconder: How Gujarat murder convict made a life in Bollywood, shared screen with Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh

AHMEDABAD: Long before police tracked him down as a parole jumper, Hemant Nagindas Modi, 53, had already mastered the art of becoming someone else.

Years before entering films and television, Modi was known in theatre circles as a lively street-play performer involved in awareness campaigns, govt outreach programmes, and socially themed dramas.

Crime Branch officers said that after jumping parole in 2014, Modi first resurfaced in north Gujarat’s theatre circuit, particularly in Patan, where he quietly rebuilt his life through stage performances.

Theatre became both his livelihood and his camouflage.

He allegedly performed in plays promoting public health drives, welfare schemes, and historical subjects linked to national icons. “His confidence on stage and his ability to adapt helped him blend into theatre communities and build new contacts without raising suspicion about his criminal past,” said an officer.

Before his conviction in the 2005 Naroda murder case, Modi had reportedly studied law and actively participated in amateur theatre. Police believe he used that experience to carefully construct a second life after disappearing during parole.

Using aliases such as “Twinkle Dave” in theatre circles and “Spandan Modi” in films, he gradually entered Gujarati entertainment circles before shifting to Mumbai for film and serial work.

According to officers, he deliberately avoided anyone linked to his old neighbourhood, prison records, or a previous identity.

His theatre resume eventually expanded to productions including “Yugpurush”, “Gandhi Viruddh Godse”, “Maha Manav Dr Ambedkar”, “Bharatno Bhagya Vidhata”, “Kanya Padharavo Savdhan” and “Dharm Rakshati”. He also appeared in Gujarati serials such as “Ek Dal Na Pankhi”, “Varta Re Varta” and “Moti Ba Ni Nani Vahu”.

Despite being a proclaimed parole jumper, Modi managed to secure roles as a supporting actor in several mainstream productions. His filmography included appearances in big-budget films and a web series on smuggling named “Taskaree”, with Emran Hashmi in the lead role.

In Gujarati cinema, he worked in films including “Samandar”, “Mukhi”, “53 Mu Panu”, “Love You Baa” and “Dariya Kinare Bungalows”. His growing portfolio gave him legitimacy and the confidence that he would not be recognised, said police.

During the years he was officially absconding, police said Modi acted as a supporting actor in several major movie productions, including “Thugs of Hindostan” starring Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan; “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” starring Ranveer Singh; “Metro In Dino” that featured Konkana Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi; and the big-budget Malayalam film “L2: Empuraan” featuring Mohanlal and Prithviraj. He also appeared in Hindi and Gujarati TV serials and web series.

Police officials said his constant movement between cities, low-profile supporting roles, and multiple identities helped him remain invisible for over a decade. “He understood how backstage networks functioned. Nobody imagined that a parole jumper was travelling with theatre groups and performing in public programmes,” an officer said.