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The relationship between Mumbai’s underworld and the film industry dates back to the 1960s, when gangsters such as Haji Mastan were known to socialise with film personalities
(From left) Gulshan Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Salman Khan
The firing at actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on Sunday has brought renewed attention to a long history of violence, threats and alleged extortion involving the Hindi film industry and organised crime networks.
While the motive behind the latest incident remains under investigation, attacks on film producers, directors, music executives and actors have periodically exposed the underworld’s attempts to exert influence over Bollywood.
The relationship between Mumbai’s underworld and the film industry dates back to the 1960s, when gangsters such as Haji Mastan were known to socialise with film personalities and act as alternative financiers. By the late 1980s and 1990s, the relationship had taken a more coercive turn, with criminal networks allegedly attempting to influence casting decisions, demand overseas distribution rights and extort money from industry figures.
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Several high-profile attacks during the 1990s highlighted the threat.
Javed Riyaz Siddiqui, Firoz Sarfraz Khan Targeted In 1994
Film producer Javed Riyaz Siddiqui was killed in June 1994. A study of organised crime in Mumbai, drawing on Crime Branch records, listed Siddiqui among film industry personalities targeted by criminal violence.
In July that year, producer Firoz Sarfraz Khan was also reportedly targeted in an attack.
The incidents formed part of a wider pattern of violence as criminal groups sought to establish their influence over the film industry.
Mukesh Duggal Killed, Rajiv Rai Survives Attack In 1997
On March 7, 1997, producer and director Mukesh Duggal was shot dead in his office in Andheri. He had produced films such as Fateh, Saathi and Platform, and directed Gopi Kishan. Investigators suspected that his killing was connected to a conflict between associates of Chhota Rajan and Chhota Shakeel.
On July 31, filmmaker Rajiv Rai, known for directing Tridev and Gupt, was attacked outside his office in Tardeo. His bodyguard returned fire, and Rai escaped unharmed. The attackers were reportedly associated with Abu Salem’s gang, and Rai had allegedly received threats before the shooting.
Barely two weeks later, on August 12, 1997, Gulshan Kumar, the founder of music label T-Series, was shot dead outside a temple in Andheri. His killing became one of the most prominent cases highlighting the underworld’s reach into Bollywood and the music industry.
Manmohan Shetty, Rakesh Roshan Survive Shooting Attempts
In December 1999, Manmohan Shetty, film producer and founder of Adlabs, survived an attempt on his life. A subsequent India Today report in 2003 said a hitman working for Abu Salem had tried to shoot him on December 27, 1999. Following the incident, Shetty reportedly travelled with an armed guard and used CCTV cameras to monitor visitors.
On January 21, 2000, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was shot outside his office in Santacruz West, shortly after the success of Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, which launched his son Hrithik Roshan. One bullet struck his arm while another grazed his chest. He survived the attack after receiving treatment.
Roshan later said the underworld wanted Hrithik to act in a film financed by its associates. He alleged that he had refused to change his son’s shooting schedule to accommodate their demands. In April 2026, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma offered a similar account, linking the attack to Roshan’s refusal to comply with pressure from Chhota Shakeel’s network.
Dinesh Anand Killed, Lawrence D’Souza Survives Attack
On February 14, 2001, actor and producer Dinesh Anand, known for supporting roles in Hindi films, was shot dead at National Park in Borivali. Anand had frequently appeared in films produced by Mukesh Duggal.
In July 2002, filmmaker Lawrence D’Souza, director of Saajan, survived an attack outside his office in Oshiwara. Two gunmen opened fire, with bullets hitting the gate and a nearby building wall. Police suspected that the attack was intended to intimidate the industry into paying extortion money to the Ezaj Lakdawala gang. D’Souza had reportedly received ransom demands over the telephone.
Salman Khan’s Residence Targeted In 2024
After a period in which the nature of the threats evolved, shootings and intimidation returned to the headlines in recent years.
On April 14, 2024, two motorcycle-borne assailants fired several rounds outside actor Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Bandra, Mumbai. Khan was not injured. Mumbai Police alleged that the attack had been carried out at the behest of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. A chargesheet was filed against six accused under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
Disha Patani’s Family Home, Rohit Shetty’s Residence Targeted
In September 2025, gunmen opened fire outside the family home of actor Disha Patani in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.
On February 1, 2026, gunmen fired at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence in Juhu, Mumbai. In April, Mumbai Police filed a chargesheet against 17 accused, alleging that the attack was carried out by a group linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to establish its supremacy. The precise motive for targeting Shetty remained unclear.
The firing involving Tiger Shroff on October 18, 2026, is the latest incident in this history. Shroff escaped unhurt, while two people were injured. Police are investigating the attack and examining a social media post purportedly claiming responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The repeated attacks and threats have raised questions about the security of prominent film personalities and the continued attempts by organised criminal networks to intimidate members of the entertainment industry.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was shot outside his office in Santacruz West on January 21, 2000. According to Roshan, the underworld wanted his son Hrithik Roshan to star in a film financed by their associates, and the attack occurred after he refused to change his son’s shooting schedule to accommodate their demands.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, …Read More
October 19, 2026, 14:37 IST
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