The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has intensified its demand for criminal action against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali after a worker lost his life on the sets of his upcoming film, Love & War.
AICWA President Suresh Gupta has officially written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding the registration of an FIR against Bhansali, a ₹1 crore compensation for the victim’s family, and a high-level inquiry into the incident.
The Incident: Fatal Shock in the Early Hours
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of June 17, 2026. Chandradhari Singh Yadav, a 42-year-old carpenter, allegedly died after suffering a massive electric shock around 1:30 AM or 2:00 AM during the film’s shoot. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters.
Gupta explicitly blamed the filmmaker and his production house for the tragedy, citing a blatant failure to maintain basic safety measures.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a big producer and filmmaker. And that worker died because of him… If he had followed all safety norms on the set that day, the worker would have been among us,” Gupta stated.
AICWA Alleges a Pattern of Negligence
Expressing immense anger, Gupta pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, alleging that Bhansali’s productions have historically ignored safety protocols to save money. He listed past tragedies on Bhansali’s sets:
- Devdas: Two workers allegedly lost their lives.
- Padmaavat (2016): Another fatal accident resulting in a worker’s death.
- Love & War (2026): The most recent casualty, bringing the total to four deaths.
Explaining why the association is pushing for severe criminal charges, Gupta remarked, “That’s why we asked to file a murder case against Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He was murdering them. Four workers are losing their lives on your set… instead of learning your lesson, you are continuously murdering the workers.”
“Why Do Workers Die Every Time?”
The AICWA president concluded by highlighting a deep-rooted, systemic issue within the film industry regarding the treatment and safety of crew members.
“You won’t hear the news that a big producer died on the set or a big actor died. You will hear it every time that a worker died. Why do workers die every time? Because they don’t give safety to the workers to save money.”
At the time of reporting, neither Sanjay Leela Bhansali nor his production team has issued an official response to the allegations or the remarks made by the AICWA. The matter remains under intense scrutiny.
