Mumbai: The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has demanded the registration of an FIR against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his production house following the death of a worker on the set of the upcoming film Love & War. The association has also sought Rs 1 crore compensation for the victim’s family and called for a high-level investigation into the incident.
The controversy stems from the death of 42-year-old carpenter Chandradhari Singh Yadav during the shooting of Love & War at Royal Pump Studio near Mumbai’s Film City, reported HT. Initial reports suggested that Yadav died after suffering an electric shock allegedly caused by a short circuit. However, AICWA has disputed that version and claimed the worker may have died after a portion of the set structure or roof collapsed, injuring several others as well. The association has demanded an impartial probe to determine the exact cause of the accident and fix accountability.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta alleged that adequate safety measures were not implemented on the set despite Love & War being a high-budget production starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The association has sought legal action against all those found responsible and urged the government to suspend shooting activities at the location until a comprehensive safety audit is completed.
The demands come days after Bhansali Productions announced Rs 40 lakh compensation for Yadav’s family. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier welcomed the assistance but sought an increase to Rs 50 lakh and requested support for the education of the deceased worker’s children.
Previous Accidents on Bhansali’s Sets
The latest tragedy has revived concerns about safety standards on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s productions. AICWA and several reports have pointed to earlier accidents during the making of Bhansali’s films, including Devdas and Padmaavat. While no fatalities were reported in those incidents, accidents involving large-scale sets and production infrastructure had previously raised questions about workplace safety during high-budget film shoots.
The death of Chandradhari Singh Yadav has once again sparked debate within the film industry over worker safety, working conditions and accountability on large film productions. Industry bodies are now demanding stricter enforcement of safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
