A man suffered minor burns after an act of daredevilry backfired on him in central India's Madhya Pradesh.

The incident took place in Ujjain city on April 5 while the country was busy performing a lights-off-vigil to bolster the spirit during the pandemic novel coronavirus outbreak.

The video showed the man taking a burning candle in his hand and proceeding to perform the flamethrowing act.

While he manages to do it successfully the first time, drawing applauds and cheers from bystanders, he fails to emulate it the second time as his beard catches fire.

Fortunately, the people rushed towards the man quickly enough and put out the blaze.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the citizens to light candles, lamps or turn on the flashlights of their mobile device at 9 pm for nine minutes in order to challenge the darkness and strengthen the spirit during this crucial time.