Film body calls for strict set security after Tiger Shroff firing incident

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has urged producers and production houses to strengthen security on film sets and conduct thorough background checks on crew members following the recent firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. The federation has issued an advisory calling for stricter access control, verification of personnel and adequate security arrangements at studios and shooting locations.In its advisory, FWICE cautioned producers and filmmakers against engaging unidentified or unverified individuals without checking their identities, backgrounds and professional credentials. It also stressed the need to maintain proper crew records and implement precautionary measures to prevent untoward incidents at shooting locations.The advisory comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of the film fraternity following a series of attacks and threats involving prominent film personalities, including Tiger Shroff, Salman Khan and filmmaker Rohit Shetty.Tiger was the target of a firing incident outside a football ground in Mumbai’s Juhu on October 18. The actor was at the venue for a football session when gunshots were fired. The incident prompted a police investigation, with investigators examining suspected links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Earlier, gunshots were fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Juhu in February, while Salman Khan has faced repeated threats, including the firing outside his Bandra residence in April 2024. These incidents have raised questions about the security of film personalities and the measures required to protect them.Against these developments, FWICE has urged producers to give preference to skilled, experienced and verified professionals associated with its affiliated associations. The federation said its network of associations maintains membership records and undertakes scrutiny of applicants’ documents and credentials, helping establish accountability among those working in the industry. However, FWICE clarified that membership verification should not be treated as a substitute for independent security checks. It called on production houses to conduct additional checks wherever necessary and report suspicious activity or potential threats promptly to the concerned security agencies and law enforcement authorities.The federation also emphasised that security arrangements must extend beyond the protection of actors and other high-profile personalities to include technicians, artists, directors, producers, workers and every individual present at a shooting location.In its appeal to industry stakeholders, FWICE said safeguarding the film and television industry’s workforce was a collective responsibility and called for cooperation between producers, filmmakers and its affiliated associations to implement the recommended precautions.The federation maintained that no compromise should be made when it comes to protecting human life, urging the industry to prioritise vigilance, verification and responsible hiring practices to ensure safer working conditions at film sets, studios and other production locations.- Ends