'Love & War' set tragedy: AICWA president demands FIR against Sanjay Leela Bhansali; Seeks higher compensation

The death of a worker on the set of 'Love & War' has sparked strong reactions from the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA). The worker is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The organisation's president, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, has levelled serious allegations against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He claimed the incident resulted from the absence of adequate safety measures on the film set.Speaking to IANS, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta described the worker's death as a "murder" and demanded legal action against the filmmaker. He also called for an FIR to be registered against Bhansali under murder charges.

In addition, he urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive fire and safety audit of film sets before shooting activities resume.

Suresh Shyamlal Gupta questions safety standards

Expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident, Gupta alleged that proper safety protocols could have prevented the worker's death. He also highlighted the impact of the tragedy on the victim's family.He stated, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a well-known film producer and filmmaker in Bollywood. Everyone knows him. His upcoming film is Love and War, in which big actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and many others are taking Rs 100 crore or Rs 50 crore. On the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, a 42-year-old worker used to work as a carpenter.

He lost his life in a power cut. He was not alone; he had a whole family. His wife, two children, and a daughter. There were no safety norms on his set. That's why he lost his life. If there were safety norms, this worker's life would have been saved. He lost his life because there were no safety norms.

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References to earlier incidents

Suresh Shyamlal Gupta also referred to previous accidents that allegedly occurred during the production of some of Bhansali's earlier films.

According to him, the latest tragedy reflects a larger issue that requires immediate attention. He said, "And this is not the first death on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set. In 2000, his film Devdas was released. The shooting lasted for two years. In 2000, a worker died. In 2001, another worker died on his set.

In 2016, his film Padmaavat was released, and a worker died on that set too. Now it's 2026. Chandrabhan Singh died on the set of his film Love and War.

Four deaths, one producer's set-Sanjay Leela Bhansali's set. This is not an ordinary thing." The AICWA chief argued that such incidents should not be treated as isolated cases. He stressed that worker safety must become a priority across the film industry.

Demand for higher compensation

Apart from seeking legal action, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta also demanded increased financial assistance for the deceased worker's family. He said the compensation announced so far was insufficient, considering the family's future needs.

Speaking about the issue, Suresh Shyamlal Gupta said, "Every year, many workers die on film sets. You rarely hear that a producer or a big actor has died on set. This does not sound good because everyone's life is at stake.

But every time, it is the workers who are reported to have died. Everyone knows there are no proper safety norms on sets. That is why people are losing their lives." We have demanded Rs 1 crore as compensation.

Nothing happens with Rs 40 lakh-Rs 1 crore is needed. He has two daughters. In today's expensive times, who will take care of their upbringing? That is why we have demanded Rs 1 crore."

Production house announces compensation

The deceased worker has been identified as Chandrabhan Singh Yadav, a carpenter who reportedly suffered an electric shock while working on the Love & War set at Mumbai's Film City. Following the incident, Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions announced compensation of Rs 40 lakh for Yadav's family.