Virat Kohli Lookalike Pranks Shoppers and Security at Lucknow Mall
Kartik Sharma, a social media creator resembling cricketer Virat Kohli, staged a prank at LuLu Mall in Lucknow by mimicking Kohli's appearance, including hairstyle, tattoos, and a Royal Challengers Bangalore jersey. Arriving in a BMW with four bodyguards, Sharma attracted hundreds of shoppers who believed they had seen the former India captain. The prank also convinced mall security, who escorted him through the premises while managing the growing crowd.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is neutral (62/100). Lens Score 32/100 — low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- indianexpress— balanced framing, neutral sentiment
- hindustantimes— balanced framing, positive sentiment
AI Analysis
The articles focus on a social media prank without political content, presenting the event as a lighthearted incident. Both sources emphasize the resemblance and public reaction without political framing, reflecting neutral coverage centered on entertainment and social media trends.
The tone across the articles is generally positive and amused, highlighting the prank's success in fooling shoppers and security. The coverage conveys a sense of fun and curiosity, with no negative or critical sentiment evident in the descriptions.
How 2 sources covered this story
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.