Reel vs real: Girl dancing in saree amid heavy snow collapses after oxygen levels drop due to cold

Several users expressed frustration over what they described as reckless behaviour. (Image: @gharkekalesh/X)

A video showing two women filming a dance reel in freezing, snow-covered conditions has gone viral on social media, prompting widespread concern over the health risks involved in creating content for online views.

The clip shows the women dancing against a backdrop of heavy snowfall, with one dressed in a red saree and the other in pink. According to details shared alongside the video, the woman in the red saree appeared to suffer the most from the extreme cold. She reportedly experienced dizziness, severe headache and signs of an impending blackout after a drop in oxygen levels, while the other was seen clutching her hand, suggesting possible cold-related injury.

At one point, one of the women broke down crying in the snow. The video also shows people nearby stepping in to assist them as they struggled to cope with the conditions.

The footage triggered strong reactions online, with many users criticising the risks taken for social media engagement. One comment read, “Views are temporary, life is not. No reel is worth risking your health or existence.” Another warned, “If not properly acclimatised at high altitude, one can experience heaviness in breathing due to reduced oxygen availability, leading to rapid breathing, chest tightness and early fatigue.”

Self-Harm Kalesh (Girl risked her life for reels: shot video in freezing heavy snow wearing almost nothing just for views. Soon oxygen dropped → started feeling dizzy, severe headache, blackout coming. Broke down crying in the snow.) pic.twitter.com/jooV7P02uO

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) January 18, 2026

Several users expressed frustration over what they described as reckless behaviour. “These idiots don’t take their life seriously just for views on Instagram,” one post said. Another user linked the incident to broader concerns about online culture, writing, “We are witnessing a dangerous era where the thirst for digital validation is overriding the basic instinct for survival. When a view becomes more valuable than a heartbeat, social media is no longer a tool for connection, it has become a stage for self-destruction.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, with one comment stating, “Our generation is doomed because of social media.”

Medical experts caution that exposure to extreme cold without proper clothing can have serious consequences. Inadequate protection in freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia, where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in confusion, loss of coordination and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Frostbite is another risk, particularly affecting fingers, toes and ears, and can cause numbness, tissue damage and long-term complications if not treated promptly.

Cold environments at high altitudes can further strain the body due to reduced oxygen levels, increasing the risk of breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue. Health professionals advise wearing insulated clothing, limiting exposure time and avoiding strenuous activity in such conditions, particularly for those unaccustomed to cold or high-altitude environments.