The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has intensified its call for stringent action against prominent filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali following a tragic incident on the sets of his film, 'Love & War'. This renewed demand comes after reports surfaced detailing the death of a worker, Chandradhari Singh Yadav, allegedly due to an electric shock. AICWA President Suresh Gupta has written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, urging for an FIR against Bhansali, substantial compensation for the deceased's family, and a thorough high-level inquiry.
Tragic Incident on 'Love & War' Set
On June 17, 2026, 42-year-old carpenter Chandradhari Singh Yadav reportedly died from an electric shock during the filming of 'Love & War'. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters. AICWA President Suresh Gupta vehemently stated that Yadav's death was a direct consequence of a severe failure to uphold adequate safety measures on the film set.
AICWA's Demands and Allegations
Suresh Gupta has outlined specific actions he believes are necessary:
• FIR Registration: A formal First Information Report (FIR) against Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
• Compensation: A demand for Rs. 1 crore in compensation for Chandradhari Singh Yadav's grieving family.
• High-Level Inquiry: An impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to the worker's death.
Gupta explicitly accused Bhansali's production of negligence, stating, “If he had followed all safety norms on the set that day, the worker would have been among us.”
Pattern of Alleged Safety Lapses
AICWA President Gupta further alleged that this is not an isolated incident related to Bhansali's productions. He claimed that previous films by the director also witnessed worker fatalities due to insufficient safety protocols:
• Devdas: Gupta stated two lives were lost on the set of 'Devdas'.
• Padmaavat: Another worker reportedly died during the production of 'Padmaavat' in 2016.
• Love & War: The latest incident marks a distressing pattern, bringing the total alleged deaths on Bhansali's sets to four over the years.
Gupta's strong words indicate a belief that these deaths are not mere accidents but rather a result of a continuous disregard for safety, likening them to "murdering" workers by failing to implement essential safety norms. He challenged Bhansali to consider the plight of the families left behind, particularly Yadav's two young daughters and wife.
Call for Industry-Wide Safety Standards
The AICWA is advocating for much stronger safety standards across the entire film industry. Gupta highlighted that it is consistently workers, not prominent producers or actors, who suffer fatal accidents. He attributed this disparity to cost-cutting measures that compromise worker safety. The association's demand for a murder case and strict FIR against Sanjay Leela Bhansali is intended to set a precedent and ensure greater accountability for worker well-being.
As of now, there has been no official statement or response from Sanjay Leela Bhansali or his production team regarding these serious allegations and demands made by the AICWA. The incident on the 'Love & War' set remains a critical point of scrutiny, raising vital questions about safety protocols within the Indian film industry.
