Will Bollywood suffer a surge of underworld terror again? The Mumbai underworld has got the entire industry worried again. Though the attack on Tiger Shroff is yet to be fully understood, the reasons behind the firing outside Rohit Shetty’s house that came on the day of the incident outside Salman Khan’s residence have sent shivers down the spine of the industry.
Tiger Shroff Firing Incident Revives Mumbai’s Underworld Memories
Tiger Shroff was not injured but his driver and another person in the vehicle were injured. Investigation by the police uncovered CCTV footage and other evidence, which was used to identify the perpetrators. The security lapse came under greater scrutiny when one Anil Pandit, whose name appeared in the news reports as the person who had taken the responsibility for the shooting and issued a warning to Khan and his associates, reportedly. The police are looking into the veracity of the claim and the suspected connection with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The alleged menace has cast light on the possibility of criminal gangs trying to instill fear in Bollywood through violence and intimidatory tactics. But investigators will have to establish the purpose and who all carried out the act before any such allegation can be proved.
From Salman Khan to Rohit Shetty: Why Are Bollywood Celebrities Under Threat?
The recent incident is taking place in the face of others high profile encounters that Bollywood icons have. In April 2024, there were reports of gunmen firing on the premises of Salman Khan’s house in the Bandra locality of Mumbai. The actor was not harmed in the incident. The incident further sparked fears regarding threats the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Outside the house of film director Rohit Shetty in Juhu, shots were fired on February 1, 2026. Later, when the Mumbai Police investigated the matter, they found the same links of the criminal chain. When news reports, after investigation, connected the attack to Shetty’s relationship with Salman Khan, legal proceedings were still underway.
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Is Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld era returning in a new form?
To most in Mumbai, the word ‘underworld’ conjures up images of the 1980s and 1990s when underworld dons such as Dawood Ibrahim were identified by extortion, disputes with film financiers, and threats to celebrities. Hindi film industry was under the clutches of underworld gangs who wanted their share of money, power, and control of business. The underworld’s influence became evident through media events like shooting incidents with filmmakers and harassment of actors. This fresh state of affairs has brought back echoes of that past. However, it is worth critically asking if someone like Dawood Ibrahim 2.0 is in the making. . There is no material in the incidents in question here suggesting that Dawood Ibrahim is behind the attacks and the former criminal syndicate has come back in the same way.
Why Do Gangsters Target High-Profile Bollywood Personalities?
Some gangsters may also attack the Bollywood celebrities to gain publicity, to create sensation, to threaten or extort money from them or to get their influence. Criminal gangs will be interested in creating sensations by attacking to the celebrities, as they draw lots of media attention. But motive must be proven in each case through police sources.
Mumbai Police Under Scrutiny Over Celebrity Security
The two recent events have also raised questions on the safety of Bollywood stars. The All India Cine Workers Association too has raised concern on the well-being of film fraternity following the Tiger Shroff incident. As for the police, the short term priorities are identifying the suspects, tracing where the firearms came from, analyzing digital communications and determining whether the shootings and the threats are connected. From concerns about copycat threats and false claims of responsibility, investigators also have to separate legitimate communications from similar copycat threats and false responsibility claims.
Is Mumbai heading for another underworld saga?
The Mumbai crime now might remind you of the 1990s when underworld activities ruled the roost. But today, the threats are of a different nature. The Salman Khan, Rohit Shetty, and Tiger Shroff attacks have prompted serious security concerns. Whether it was one or various cases, the truth is that the challenge is that Mumbai can hold back these criminal gangs from frightening and intimidating Bollywood.
