For more than a decade, Hemant Nagindas Modi lived two very different lives. In one, he was a convicted murderer who had failed to return to jail after being released on parole. In the other, he was a theatre performer and supporting actor who appeared in Hindi and Gujarati films, television serials and web series. The 53-year-old was arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch in May 2026, ending 12 years on the run. During those years, police said, Modi changed his identity, stayed away from Ahmedabad for long periods and built a career in the entertainment industry. His film credits eventually included productions featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Ranveer Singh.According to a TOI report, Modi’s entry into theatre played an important role in helping him build a new identity. Police said he first resurfaced in north Gujarat’s theatre circuit, particularly around Patan, after jumping parole in 2014. From there, he gradually moved into Gujarati entertainment and later Mumbai’s film and television industry.
From a life sentence to a new identity
He kept changing his names and altered his looks to keep appearing on the small and big screen.
Modi was originally from Naroda in Ahmedabad and was serving a life sentence in connection with a 2005 murder case. He was lodged in Mehsana jail when he was granted parole by the Gujarat High Court in 2014. The parole was for 30 days. Hemant was expected to return to the authorities after the period ended, but he did not. As reported by India Today, he was officially declared a “parole jumper” on July 25, 2014. That was the point at which his second life began.Police said Modi initially avoided Ahmedabad and stayed in Patan and nearby areas. He later moved to Mumbai. According to the Statesman and various media, in the early years he deliberately stayed away from mobile phones and social media, making it difficult for investigators to trace him through technology. He did not use social media or mobile phones in his early years, police could not track him through those means.
Theatre became his way into the industry
Before his conviction, Modi had studied law and was involved in amateur theatre, according to a TOI report. After disappearing during parole, he returned to theatre in north Gujarat. He performed in street plays, awareness campaigns, government outreach programmes and socially themed productions. Police told TOI that Modi used the names “Twinkle Dave” in theatre circles and “Spandan Modi” in films.“He had more than 12 identities. He went by Spandan Modi, Spandan Joshi, Spandan Vyas, Hemang Modi, Hemang Vyas, Hemang Vaishnav, Hemang Kumar, Spandan Kumar and others,” senior Crime Branch officer told TOI. “He kept changing his names and altered his looks to keep appearing on the small and big screen.”Theatre also gave him access to a network of performers and production teams. An officer said his confidence on stage and ability to adapt helped him become part of theatre communities without drawing attention to his criminal past. That experience eventually took him from stage productions to Gujarati television and films.
From Gujarati serials to Bollywood films
Modi appeared in Thugs of Hindostan, which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, and Jayeshbhai Jordaar, starring Ranveer Singh, said the police.
Modi’s entertainment work expanded considerably during the years he was wanted by police. His television credits included Gujarati serials such as Ek Dal Na Pankhi, Varta Re Varta and Moti Ba Ni Nani Vahu. He also had appearances in Hindi television programs including Wagle Ki Duniya and Mere Sai. He also worked in several Gujarati films.Then came roles in larger productions. According to a TOI report, Modi appeared in Thugs of Hindostan, which starred Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, and Jayeshbhai Jordaar, starring Ranveer Singh. Police said he also appeared in the Malayalam film L2: Empuraan, featuring Mohanlal and Prithviraj.As reported by The Statesman, his other work included the web series Taskaree, with Emraan Hashmi in the lead role. India Today also listed Lahore 1947 and Metro…In Dino among his professional portfolio.
How did he remain undetected for 12 years?
That is one of the striking aspects of the case. According to police, Modi used multiple identities, moved between cities and avoided people connected to his earlier life. His early decision to stay away from mobile phones and social media also made electronic tracking difficult. Later, however, he was active on social media, according to police. Investigators believed his movement between cities, supporting roles and different identities helped him avoid recognition for year. An Ahmedabad Crime Branch officer told TOI: “Nobody imagined that a parole jumper was travelling with theatre groups and performing in public programs.”
The tip-off that finally led police to him
After years of failing to locate him, the Crime Branch received information that Modi had returned to Ahmedabad. According to The Statesman, police received the tip-off about his arrival and moved to Gheekanta Metro Station, where he was arrested. The police traced him to a house near the Ghee Kanta Metro Station in Ahmedabad. Modi had been wanted since 2014, when he failed to return after his 30-day parole, according to the police.Hemant Nagindas Modi was arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on May 21, 2026, after nearly 12 years on the run.
Back to jail
After his arrest, Modi was sent back to Mehsana District Jail to serve the remainder of his life sentence. His case now has two very different records: one in police files and another in film and theatre credits. For 12 years, the same man who was wanted as a parole jumper was appearing in productions that put him alongside some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. His arrest in Ahmedabad finally connected those two identities.
