
Indian music star Sidhu Moose Wala died in a hail of bullets. Who wanted him dead?
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Luke Lamanna
Did you know that after World War II, the US government quietly brought former Nazi scientists to America to advance military technology? Or that in the 1950s, the army secretly released bacteria over San Francisco to test biological attacks without alerting the public? I'm Luke lamanna, and on my new podcast, Redacted, I uncover hidden truths and reveal these shocking events that those in power have tried to bury. To hear more, follow Declassified Mysteries with me, Luke lamanna, on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unknown
A young Punjabi rapper has just exploded onto the music scene. It's 2017.
People are going crazy. Like, who is this guy? Who is this Siddhu guy?
He's a bad boy lyricist. He's an amazing performer and he is none other than Sidhu Musera.
Ishleen Kaur
He'll become one of the most influential Indian hip hop artists.
Unknown
I'm looking into the crowd and they're cheering us on. It felt magical anytime I performed with him.
Sidhu Musiala is a voice for a generation of Punjabis.
He has huge fan polling, you know.
An international icon, but never forgets where he came from.
His music, it was crazy. It's the sort of music that caused a big disruption. The topics he chose to touch, some would say could be the core issues of Punjab.
Ishleen Kaur
But at the height of Sidhu Musiala's.
Unknown
Fame, got some breaking news that's coming in right now. Firing on Punjabi singer Shubdeep Sidhu.
Ishleen Kaur
He's murdered.
Unknown
Sidhu Mosewala was shot dead by attackers. He could not survive that attack over.
The riddled with bullets, multiple rounds seemed to have been fired at.
Someone told me that Sidhu is no more. At that point, I felt my body numb and I literally got goosebumps in my body and I started crying.
It was kind of like an earthquake and everybody felt it.
It really shook the core in you that this is a murder which Punjab will not forget.
Who wanted Sidhu Musayalla dead and why?
It was not even my wildest of dreams that they could go to that extent and hit Sidhu. Muse Bala.
Ishleen Kaur
I'm investigative journalist Ishleen Kaur and I've spent the last two years trying to find the answers to these questions.
Unknown
Everyone is afraid of this. No one wants to talk.
I'm DJ and broadcaster Bobby Frixion. Our investigation takes us into a dark and dangerous world.
Ishleen Kaur
It's not what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting them to send me a claim to a martyr. We try to track down those who claim they're responsible for one of the biggest killings Punjab has seen for decades. This is World of Secrets.
Unknown
Season 8, the Killing Call.
I knew his voice. I knew that it was him calling.
A BBC World Service investigation into a global criminal underworld.
If they pay, everything's fine. If they don't, well, then we know what to do to get the money.
Ishleen Kaur
It's a story of fame, power and vengeance echoing far beyond India's borders.
Unknown
No, he was not scared. But he always say that, bro, one day I'm gonna die with a bullet. I know that.
Ishleen Kaur
The Killing Call. Available now. Follow or subscribe to World of Secrets. So you never miss an episode.
Luke Lamanna
Did you know that after World War II, the US government quietly brought former Nazi scientists to America to advance military technology? Or that in the 1950s, the army secretly released criteria over San Francisco to test biological attacks without alerting the public? I'm Luke Lamanna, and on my new podcast, Redacted, I uncover hidden truths and reveal these shocking events that those in power have tried to bury. To hear more, follow Declassified Mysteries with me, Luke Lamanna, on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
World of Secrets: The Killing Call – Detailed Summary
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Episode: The Killing Call: Trailer
The latest season of BBC's World of Secrets, titled "The Killing Call," delves into the tragic and mysterious murder of Sidhu Moose Wala, one of India's most influential music stars. Sidhu Moose Wala, renowned for his rebellious spirit and impactful lyrics, rose to fame swiftly, becoming a voice for a generation of Punjabis.
"People are going crazy. Like, who is this guy? Who is this Siddhu guy?"
[00:51] Unknown
Sidhu's dynamic performances and provocative music resonated deeply with his audience, earning him a massive fan base and international acclaim.
"He'll become one of the most influential Indian hip hop artists."
— Ishleen Kaur [01:08]
Sidhu Moose Wala's ascent in the music industry was marked by his ability to blend traditional Punjabi themes with contemporary hip-hop beats, addressing core issues of Punjab through his art.
"His music, it was crazy. It's the sort of music that caused a big disruption. The topics he chose to touch, some would say could be the core issues of Punjab."
[01:35] Unknown
He remained grounded despite his international success, never forgetting his roots and consistently engaging with his fan base.
"An international icon, but never forgets where he came from."
[01:30] Unknown
In 2017, at the peak of his career, Sidhu Moose Wala was tragically gunned down in rural Punjab. The incident sent shockwaves through the music community and beyond, leaving fans and peers in disbelief.
"He could not survive that attack over here."
[02:03] Unknown
The attack was brutal, with Sidhu being riddled with bullets from multiple assailants.
"Multiple rounds seemed to have been fired at him."
[02:09] Unknown
The news of Sidhu's murder was met with widespread grief and disbelief. His fans and the Punjabi community felt an overwhelming sense of loss, likening the event to a devastating earthquake that shook them to their core.
"It was kind of like an earthquake and everybody felt it."
— Unknown [02:19]
Many expressed a profound personal connection to Sidhu, highlighting his role as a cultural and musical icon.
"I felt my body numb and I literally got goosebumps in my body and I started crying."
— Unknown [02:19]
"It really shook the core in you that this is a murder which Punjab will not forget."
— Unknown [02:22]
Investigative journalist Ishleen Kaur spearheaded a two-year-long investigation to uncover the truth behind Sidhu's murder. Her journey was fraught with challenges, including fear and reluctance from those who might hold answers.
"I'm investigative journalist Ishleen Kaur and I've spent the last two years trying to find the answers to these questions."
[02:41] Ishleen Kaur
"Everyone is afraid of this. No one wants to talk."
[02:50] Unknown
DJ and broadcaster Bobby Frixion joined the investigation, guiding listeners into the murky depths of the criminal underworld intertwined with Sidhu's fame and influence.
"Our investigation takes us into a dark and dangerous world."
— Bobby Frixion [02:54]
The investigation revealed a tangled web of fame, power, and vengeance that extended far beyond India's borders. It exposed the criminal networks that may have had motives to silence Sidhu, delving into issues of rivalries, threats, and unresolved conflicts within the music industry and beyond.
"It's a story of fame, power and vengeance echoing far beyond India's borders."
— Ishleen Kaur [03:45]
The team faced numerous obstacles, including intimidation and misinformation, but remained steadfast in their pursuit of the truth.
"It's not what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting them to send me a claim to a martyr."
— Ishleen Kaur [03:03]
Throughout the investigation, personal reflections from those close to Sidhu highlighted his awareness of the dangers he faced. Sidhu was conscious of the threats in his environment, often expressing a fatalistic view of his mortality.
"He was not scared. But he always say that, bro, one day I'm gonna die with a bullet. I know that."
— Unknown [03:52]
World of Secrets: The Killing Call promises a gripping exploration of Sidhu Moose Wala's life, his untimely death, and the extensive investigation that seeks to bring clarity to a case shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This season is a testament to the enduring impact of Sidhu's legacy and the relentless quest for justice by those determined to uncover the truth.
"The Killing Call. Available now. Follow or subscribe to World of Secrets so you never miss an episode."
— Ishleen Kaur [04:03]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
This World of Secrets trailer sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of one of Punjab's most significant and unresolved murders, promising listeners a journey through fame's dark corridors and the relentless pursuit of truth against formidable odds.