A viral video of a man brazenly driving his Mahindra Thar on the wrong side of a highway while bragging about it as the “biggest benefit” of owning the SUV has ignited widespread anger on social media in January 2026. The clip, which surfaced around January 11, shows the unidentified driver casually navigating against traffic, claiming that spending ₹20 lakh on the vehicle grants him immunity from consequences—no honking, no objections, and zero hassle.
In the self-recorded footage, he proudly states: “Mahindra Thar lene ka sabse bada benefit yahi hai, wrong side chalo. Dusre wale side jam tha toh wrong side se chalo, koi dikkat nahi, koi kuch nahi, koi dipper nahi maarega, na koi aapse faltu bolega naahi kuch kahega. Yakeen karo, 20 lakh sirf iss toll baazi ke de rakhe hai humne.” (Translation: “The biggest benefit of buying a Mahindra Thar is this—you can drive on the wrong side. If the other side is jammed, just take the wrong side; no problem, no one will say anything, no one honks, no one bothers you. Believe me, I’ve paid ₹20 lakh just for this toll-free privilege.”)
He adds that sitting in a Thar gives a special “feeling” of unquestioned authority on the road.
Rattan Dhillon’s Fiery Response Sparks the Debate
COVID ended, but another epidemic took over our roads the Thartards mentality virus! This mindset is beyond insane.
— Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) January 11, 2026
How does buying a vehicle suddenly delete common sense? It’s honestly shocking and dangerous.
If anyone can genuinely figure out what psychological switch… pic.twitter.com/aZF519zRdv
The video exploded after off-roader, rally driver, and prominent X user Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) reshared it with a scathing caption: “COVID ended, but another epidemic took over our roads — the Thartards mentality virus! This mindset is beyond insane. How does buying a vehicle suddenly delete common sense? It’s honestly shocking and dangerous. If anyone can genuinely figure out what psychological switch flips after buying a Thar, I’ll happily sponsor a full week’s vacation for them! Until then, save your near and dear ones from buying this vehicle as this epidemic is real and spreading fast!”
Dhillon’s post (with a video embed) quickly went viral, amassing thousands of likes, reposts, and replies. He coined/ popularised “Thartards” as a derogatory term for entitled Thar owners who exhibit reckless, rule-breaking behaviour.
Netizens’ Reactions: Outrage, Memes, and Calls for Action
The comments section turned into a battlefield of frustration:
- Many shared personal horror stories of Thar drivers in NCR (Gurugram, Delhi, Noida) and surrounding areas, ignoring signals, cutting lanes, or driving aggressively.
- One user tagged Anand Mahindra (Mahindra Group Chairman): “It’s a fact that your company can save lives by seeking mental fitness certification from a qualified doctor. I’ve given strict instructions to my driver: if you spot a Thar on Gurugram Road, simply divert your car. I want my child and driver to be safe.”
- Another slammed civic sense: “Some serious behavioural & civic sense issues with these NCR & surrounding states. Breaking the law, putting others’ lives at risk is an obsession & Pride for them. Chhichhore, Fookare… Paise se Thar Aur Fortuner to le aaoge magar tameez aur izzat kahan se laoge?”
- Humorous takes: “Let me buy my Thar first, then I’ll tell you how one’s mind goes insane.” Or warnings: “Fathers will stop marrying their girls to boys who own Mahindra Thars.”
The backlash highlighted a perceived pattern of “SUV entitlement” — where expensive vehicles like the Thar or Fortuner supposedly give owners a false sense of superiority and impunity on roads.
Broader Context: Not an Isolated Incident
This isn’t the first time Thar drivers have faced criticism:
- In late 2025, a Ballabhgarh driver was fined ₹7,000 for steering his Thar with his feet.
- Multiple reports of Thars involved in rash driving, road rage, or off-road misuse have surfaced in recent months.
Critics argue the issue lies not with the vehicle itself (a popular off-roader loved for its ruggedness) but with a subset of owners who misuse privilege, poor traffic enforcement, and social media’s role in glorifying such antics.
The video has reignited urgent calls for stricter road safety laws, better enforcement, and awareness campaigns. Traffic authorities (including Delhi Traffic Police) were tagged en masse, urging action like license suspension.
What do you think — is this just one bad apple, or a real “Thar mentality” problem on Indian roads? Share your views below! 🚗⚠️
(Stay safe out there — follow traffic rules, always.)
