bandaali

Bandaali is a term used in several South Asian languages, notably Hindi and Urdu. It typically refers to a group of criminals, hooligans, or a mob that acts collectively, often in the context of local crime, banditry, or social unrest. The word can be used descriptively to denote illicit activity carried out by a gang, as well as to describe a person who participates in such activity—usually with negative connotations. The exact sense and frequency vary by dialect and region, and the term may appear in colloquial speech more than in formal dictionaries.

In cultural usage, bandaali has appeared in regional cinema and literature as a label for antagonists, rebellious groups, or charismatic outlaw figures. Because it is a colloquial term with strong social associations, it is sometimes used in headlines, songs, or dialogue to convey a sense of danger or street credibility, rather than as a neutral descriptive term.

The etymology is not uniformly documented in English-language sources, but the word is commonly understood as relating to banding together for illicit purposes. In discussing law, crime, or social history, it may be relevant to compare it with more specific terms for organized crime or for individual criminals in the same linguistic area, such as daaku (bandit) or other regional equivalents.