“Bobby Deol Opens Up on a Sheltered Childhood Amid the Terror of Delhi’s Infamous Duo”Ranga and Billa
The 1970s in Delhi were a time of fear and uncertainty, a period when two names sent shivers down the spine of the nation: Ranga and Billa. Known for their audacious kidnappings and violent crimes, the duo terrorized families across the capital and beyond.
Their most heinous acts—kidnapping and murdering two children in 1978—shook the country to its core. Newspapers splashed their photographs, while parents kept their children indoors, fearful that their lives could be next.
For young Bobby Deol, the shadow of Ranga and Billa was far more personal. Growing up in a prominent Bollywood family, he should have been carefree, riding his bicycle and playing cricket with friends. Instead, his childhood was defined by caution, confinement, and an ever-present sense of danger.
In a candid conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Bobby revealed the incident that altered his life forever. “When I was in sixth standard, one of my friends was kidnapped by Ranga and Billa.
By a miracle, he escaped. But during police questioning, the criminals asked him about other children in his school… and he mentioned my name,” Bobby recounted.
The news reached his father, the legendary Dharmendra, who immediately became hyper-vigilant. From that moment, Bobby’s world shrank.
He could go to school, return home, and that was it. Playdates, cycling outside, even college parties—everything was off-limits.
He learned to ride his bicycle inside the house, helped friends set up parties from the safety of his home, but never participated. I had a 9 pm curfew even during college. My parents wanted to ensure I was never at risk,” he said.
Even after Ranga and Billa were captured, tried, and executed, Bobby’s parents remained cautious. The trauma of knowing that their child had been a potential target left a permanent mark.
Bobby’s mother and father, already protective by nature, reinforced their sheltering ways, ensuring that the outside world remained at a safe distance.
Bobby also recalled another childhood scare: he had fallen from the first floor of their house as a two-year-old, which only intensified their protective instincts.
The Rise and Fall of a Notorious Duo
Ranga and Billa were no ordinary criminals. Their kidnappings were meticulously planned, and their daring escapes made headlines. Police operations struggled to keep pace with their mobility and audacity.
But their downfall came when law enforcement intercepted one of their kidnapping attempts, using tips from locals and witnesses. Through careful interrogation and investigation, authorities uncovered their network and hideouts.
Finally, the law caught up with them. Billa and Ranga were convicted for multiple kidnappings, robberies, and the murders of two children, and were executed by hanging. Their capture brought relief to a terrified city, yet the fear they had sown lingered for years, shaping the behavior of countless families.
Emerging from the Shadows
Despite the protective cocoon around him, Bobby Deol eventually stepped into the world of cinema. He navigated the highs and lows of Bollywood, including a challenging period in the mid-2010s, and has now successfully resurged as a leading actor.
In 2025, as he celebrates 30 years in the film industry, he stars in prominent projects, including Aryan Khan’s Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.
Looking back, Bobby reflects on how the terror of Ranga and Billa, combined with his parents’ protective measures, shaped him: “I was ignorant about how cutthroat the world could be. Maybe my parents should have prepared me better. But their love and caution kept me safe.”
Bobby’s story is a vivid reminder of a time when crime and fear dictated the lives of ordinary citizens and even celebrities.
The terror caused by Ranga and Billa may have ended decades ago, but its echoes are found in the sheltered childhoods of those who lived through it, and in the resilience of those who emerged to face life undeterred.
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