Mumbai’s film industry is reeling from a brazen midnight attack on director Rohit Shetty’s residence, prompting the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPPA) to seek urgent intervention from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. In a strongly worded letter, IMPPPA President Abhay Sinha expressed profound alarm over the pervasive fear gripping producers, artists, and technicians following the February 1 incident at Shetty Tower.
The association demands swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the firing that saw at least five rounds unleashed at the first floor of Shetty’s nine-story building, where his personal gym is located. A bullet pierced the gym window, but thankfully, no one was injured. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s Shubham Lonkar claimed responsibility online, issuing chilling threats of deadlier attacks to come.
‘ Rohit Shetty has enriched Indian cinema and stood by the nation and society in times of need through social initiatives,’ Sinha wrote, underscoring the director’s contributions. This assault has ignited a fierce debate on Bollywood’s security vulnerabilities, with calls for enhanced protection for Shetty, his family, and the entire entertainment sector.
Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch is leading the probe, linking the weapons supplier to the Asaram Bishnoi gang operating under the guise of a garage mechanic. The main shooter remains at large, while five suspects face charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). A court has remanded them to police custody until February 17.
IMPPPA hopes Fadnavis’s involvement will expedite justice and fortify law enforcement to prevent future threats. The industry watches anxiously, yearning for a safer tomorrow where creativity thrives without fear.