FROM REEL TO REAL: Bollywood Film Inspires Real-Life Treasure Hunt in Burhanpur

Burhanpur (The Uttam Hindu): A gold rush has taken over Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, after a Bollywood film, Chhaava, sparked rumors of a hidden treasure in the area. Locals, armed with torch lights, sieves, and metal detectors, have been gathering at the Asirgarh Fort, hoping to strike gold. The frenzy began when a JCB machine, digging for a national highway, uncovered ancient-looking metal coins in a field near a dargah. Some claim to have found gold and silver coins from the Mughal era, fueling the digging frenzy. The mention of Burhanpur in Chhaava, which highlighted the city's Mughal history and referred to it as a "gold mine," added to the excitement.

Locals claim that people are indeed finding coins, but the administration has yet to take decisive action. Historians say that Burhanpur was once a prosperous Mughal city with a thriving mint for producing gold and silver coins. During times of conflict, people often buried their wealth underground for safekeeping, making the possibility of such discoveries plausible. However, experts caution that unregulated digging could lead to the loss of valuable heritage. The local police have begun investigating and have hinted at imposing restrictions on unauthorized digging in the area. Burhanpur Superintendent of Police Devendra Patidar assured that any unauthorized excavation would be prohibited and legal action would be taken, if necessary