In a bizarre incident that left the residents of Konchi village in Bihar stunned, a funeral that drew dozens of mourners turned out to be completely fake. The man carried on people’s shoulders wasn’t dead at all—he had simply decided to find out how many people truly loved him, by pretending to die.

It all began when relatives of 74-year-old Mohan Lal, a retired Indian Air Force veteran, spread news of his “sudden death.” Without hesitation, villagers gathered to pay their respects, chanting prayers and following the decorated bier to the cremation site as tradition dictates. But the shocking twist came when the “deceased” suddenly sat up in his coffin, leaving everyone speechless.

Mohan later admitted that the entire ceremony had been his idea. “After death, people carry the body and show their affection—but I wanted to witness that while I’m still alive,” he said, explaining his unusual stunt.

According to local reports, Mohan had enlisted the help of a few family members to make the funeral appear convincing. They spread the news of his passing and carried him through the village on an ornate bier, just as they would for any other funeral. Hundreds of residents attended the ceremony, something that, as Mohan put it, “warmed his heart” and reassured him of the respect his community still held for him.

To make amends for the emotional chaos he caused, the 74-year-old later hosted a grand feast for the entire village—a lively celebration to replace the fake mourning.

Beyond the spectacle, the episode reflects a deeper truth: the yearning for recognition and affection, especially in old age, can drive people to strange lengths just to feel seen and valued.