Mumbai: A shooting incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff has reignited concerns over the safety of film personalities and the possible resurgence of organised crime targeting the Hindi film industry. The attack has drawn comparisons with the 1990s, when underworld gangs allegedly used extortion, threats and targeted violence to exert influence over Bollywood.
Three unidentified men reportedly opened fire at Shroff’s car on Sunday as he was leaving a sporting event in Mumbai’s Juhu area. The actor, who was seated in the front of the vehicle, escaped unharmed, while two people sustained bullet injuries.
Shortly after the shooting, a social media post attributed to Anmol Bishnoi, associated with the Bishnoi gang, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. The claim and the circumstances surrounding the incident are subject to investigation.
The incident has renewed questions about whether criminal networks are attempting to revive intimidation tactics that once created an atmosphere of fear across Mumbai’s entertainment industry.
Bollywood’s troubled underworld history
The late 1990s and early 2000s witnessed several violent incidents involving prominent film personalities.
In 1997, producer Mukesh Duggal was shot dead in a case reportedly linked to gang rivalry and film-financing disputes. Filmmaker Rajiv Rai survived an armed attack outside his Tardeo office that year, with assailants reportedly linked to gangster Chhota Shakeel.
Gulshan Kumar, founder of music company T-Series, was murdered in Mumbai’s Versova area in August 1997. His killing became one of the most prominent cases associated with the underworld’s alleged influence over the entertainment business.
In January 2000, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was shot outside his Santa Cruz office following the success of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. He survived the attack after receiving medical treatment.
Ajit Diwani, secretary to actor Manisha Koirala, was killed in 2001 in a case linked to alleged extortion demands. Filmmaker Lawrence D’Souza also survived a reported attack in 2002.
The industry faced further threats, including reported plans to target actor Aamir Khan and filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker after the success of Lagaan.
Crackdown weakened established gangs
Mounting threats prompted film industry representatives to approach Mumbai Police officials over concerns about the safety of actors, producers and filmmakers. At the time, there were discussions about the possibility of shifting film production from Mumbai to Hyderabad.
Mumbai Police subsequently intensified action against organised crime through investigations, arrests and enforcement of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Several prominent gang leaders were arrested or convicted, weakening networks that had targeted the entertainment industry.
Abu Salem was arrested in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2002 and later extradited to India. Chhota Rajan was arrested in Bali, Indonesia, in 2015 and brought to India to face criminal proceedings. Gangster Arun Gawli was also convicted in a murder case.
As the influence of established syndicates declined, reports of extortion and threats against Bollywood personalities became less prominent than during the peak of underworld activity.
New threats renew security concerns
Concerns resurfaced in recent years amid threats associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. In April 2024, gunshots were fired outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai’s Bandra area, prompting heightened security measures.
The October 2024 killing of politician Baba Siddique further intensified scrutiny of the gang and its alleged criminal activities.
Reports of extortion calls targeting entertainment industry figures, including filmmaker Rohit Shetty, have also raised concerns about the security of prominent personalities.
The latest incident involving Tiger Shroff has brought these concerns back into focus. Investigators will need to identify the shooters, establish the motive, verify the social media claim of responsibility and determine whether the attack is connected to a wider criminal network.
For Bollywood, the shooting is a reminder that the decline of older underworld syndicates did not eliminate the threat of organised crime. Whether the latest incident signals a broader resurgence of criminal intimidation against the film industry will depend on the findings of the investigation.
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