'Atmosphere of Fear': Ashoke Pandit Slams Attack on Tiger Shroff
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit warns of an atmosphere of fear in the film industry after gunmen opened fire on actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai.
The Indian film industry is reeling from shock after a brazen daylight attack on actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai. Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has strongly condemned the firing incident, stating that such violent acts are creating an "atmosphere of fear" among artists and technicians in the city.
A Narrow Escape in Broad Daylight
The terrifying incident unfolded on Sunday evening around 7 pm in the Juhu area of Mumbai. According to reports, Tiger Shroff was leaving a football club in his car when unidentified assailants opened fire. Despite the attackers being at an extremely close range, the actor managed to escape without sustaining a direct gunshot wound.
Speaking to ANI, Ashoke Pandit expressed deep concern over the nature of the attack. He questioned how the actor survived such a close-range encounter, suggesting that the weapon used by the attackers might have malfunctioned.
"Three people came armed with weapons to a public place in broad daylight, opened fire, and left. Tiger Shroff was fortunate to have survived. From what I saw in the video, I feel that the person who fired at him from such close range may have had a gun that did not work... Otherwise, how could someone survive an attack from such close range?"
Industry Bodies Demand Safety
Pandit did not speak alone; he voiced the collective outrage of several major industry bodies, including the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), the Directors’ Association, and the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA).
He drew a chilling parallel between the current events and the gang-war era of Mumbai during the 1980s and 1990s, suggesting that a similar climate of intimidation is being deliberately cultivated within the film fraternity. He also referenced a previous firing incident at director Rohit Shetty’s residence to highlight a worrying pattern of violence.
Government Response and Legal Action
The attack has prompted immediate action from the state government and law enforcement:
- Police Action: Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mohit Garg confirmed that a case has been registered against three unidentified individuals. The charges include Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
- Casualties: While Tiger Shroff avoided gunshot wounds, two other people were injured, including the actor's driver, who was reportedly hit by bullets.
- Political Support: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Tiger Shroff’s residence on Sunday night to meet the actor and his mother, Ayesha Shroff.
The Extent of the Injuries
During his visit, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde revealed that while the actor wasn't shot, he did sustain injuries to his hand caused by gunpowder and shattered glass. Shinde informed reporters that five rounds were fired during the attack and vowed that threats against public figures would not be tolerated by the state.
Ashoke Pandit has appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy Chief Ministers to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness to ensure the safety of citizens and the film community.