Kunjilal, Who Predicted His Death In 2005 And 'Inspired' Peepli Live, Dies 14 Years Later

Kunjilal Malviya, the man made headlines in 2005 after predicting his own death, died on October 25 outliving his prediction by 14 years. Kunjilal attracted a lot of attention after claiming he would die on October 20, 2005 on the ocassion of Karva Chauth. As soon as the news of his prediction spread, several news channels made a beeline to his house in Shera village in Betul. It became a media spectacle with reporters and camera crew camping outside his house to telecast his story and his predicted death.

However, Kunjilal did not die on that announced date in 2005. He claimed that he did not die as his wife had observed the Karwa Chauth vrat with full faith.

Kunjilal's prediction and the subsequent media reaction was one of the inspirations behind the Aamir Khan  production Peepli Live. The film was set in Pipla village near Sehra- Kunjilal's village. In the film, a farmer Natha fed up with outstanding loan predicts his death. Kunjilal had sent a notice to Khan, objecting to the film claiming that it was made on his story, but the notice was rejected by the courts.

Kunjilal who was born on October 20, 1930 used to make predictions using dices given by his ancestors and Ramal Vidya, a traditional system of making predictions. A large number of people used to visit his residence to know their future, and, after making prediction about his death, Kunjilal became well known name across the country.