Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare is a British true crime documentary film directed by Lyttanya Shannon and released to streaming on Netflix on 16 October 2024. The documentary is based on the 2021 Tortoise Media podcast of the same name, which tells the story of Kirat Assi, a woman who was deceived for nearly a decade by her cousin Simran Bhogal, who posed as a fictitious romantic partner named "Bobby Jandu" in an intricate catfishing scheme.[1][2][3][4]
| Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Lyttanya Shannon |
| Written by | Lyttanya Shannon |
| Based on | Sweet Bobby by Tortoise Media |
| Produced by | Rebecca North, Kiran Sira |
| Starring | Kirat Assi, Bobby Jandu, Sanj Jandu, Hemma Gulhane |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Sentamu |
| Edited by | Nic Zimmermann |
| Music by | Roshan Gunga |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Background
editSweet Bobby delves into the true story of British radio presenter Kirat Assi, who was catfished for nearly ten years by her own cousin, Simran Bhogal,[5][6] posing as "Bobby," a fictitious romantic partner. It explores the emotional and psychological manipulation Assi endured, as well as the cultural and family pressures that impacted her experience. Through Kirat's retelling, Sweet Bobby examines themes of deception, emotional manipulation and online relationships.[7]
Aftermath
editSimran Bhogal
editAfter an unsuccessful police investigation due to the fact that catfishing is not illegal, Assi successfully pursued a civil action against Bhogal in 2020, after which Bhogal privately apologised and Assi received a payout. Assi has since re-opened the police case.[8]
It was reported that Simran Bhogal, a former vice president at Barclays bank, left her position in 2021. The Daily Mail reported in 2023 that she still lives with her parents in North West London.[8][9][10]
In a statement released to Netflix, Bhogal said that "she considers it a private matter and strongly objects to what she describes as numerous unfounded and damaging accusations."[11]
Bobby Jandu
editThe genuine Bobby Jandu, is a dental surgeon who lives with his wife Sanj in Brighton.[12]
Kirat Assi
editAssi has taken a firm stance against revenge or public attacks on her cousin and her family. In interviews following Sweet Bobby, Kirat emphasized that her goal is accountability, not retribution.
Assi has discouraged any harassment toward Simran's relatives, acknowledging that they had also been affected by the fallout from the documentary. Assi advocates for justice reform, hoping her experience will push for stronger protections and legal consequences for catfishing and similar deceptive acts.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Netflix's Sweet Bobby: Catfish victim making 'the best of life'". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Bindel, Julie (2022-01-02). "Kirat Assi: 'Bobby tried to destroy my hopes, my dreams, every part of my life'". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Waxman, Olivia B. (2024-10-16). "Netflix's Catfishing Documentary Sweet Bobby". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "In 'Sweet Bobby,' Catfishing Is Even Worse Than You Might Think". The New York Times. 2024-10-16.
- ^ Adekaiyero, Ayomikun (21 October 2021). "Simran Bhogal, the catfisher behind Netflix's 'Sweet Bobby,' has managed to completely scrub herself from the internet". Business Insider.
- ^ Mercuri, Monica (17 October 2024). "Where Is Simran Bhogal Now? The Bizarre Story Behind Netflix's 'Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare'". Forbes.
- ^ Sandhu, Amber (20 October 2024). "I'm not stupid, I've chosen to speak, says catfish victim duped for nine years". BBC.
- ^ a b Ross, Charley (17 October 2024). "Where is Sweet Bobby's Simran Bhogal now and did she lose her job?". Glamour.
- ^ Williams, Sophie (16 October 2024). "Sweet Bobby: Where is Simran Bhogal now, and did she lose her job?". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ Page, Jordan (16 October 2024). "Netflix documentary Sweet Bobby: Where is Simran Bhogal now?". Standard.
- ^ Minelle, Bethany (14 October 2024). "Sweet Bobby catfish victim Kirat Assi on taking her pain to the screen". Sky News.
This matter involves events that began when she was a schoolgirl. She considers it a private matter and strongly objects to what she describes as 'numerous unfounded and damaging accusations
- ^ King, Samantha (18 October 2024). "Where is Bobby Jandu today? Life of man impersonated in UK's longest catfishing case now". Liverpool Echo.
- ^ Griffiths, Emily (23 October 2024). "Sweet Bobby's Kirat Assi reveals if she has forgiven cousin Simran Bhogal who catfished her for nearly a decade". Hello!.