The recent shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff has raised alarms about the potential return of underworld activities in Bollywood. On Sunday, three assailants fired at Shroff’s vehicle as he was departing from a sporting event in Juhu. While the actor emerged unscathed, two individuals sustained injuries from the gunfire. Shortly after the attack, Anmol Bishnoi, a member of the notorious Bishnoi gang, reportedly claimed responsibility for the shooting via social media.

This incident has reignited fears reminiscent of the 1990s when the underworld had a significant influence over the Hindi film industry. During that period, filmmakers often faced threats and extortion, leading to a climate of fear that permeated Bollywood.

The recent attack underscores the ongoing vulnerability of film personalities in India, as the resurgence of gang-related activities raises pressing questions about their safety and security.

Historical Context of Underworld Influence in Bollywood

The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by a series of violent incidents involving the underworld and Bollywood figures. Notable events include the murder of producer Mukesh Duggal in 1997, which was linked to financial disputes. That same year, filmmaker Rajiv Rai was ambushed outside his office, narrowly escaping death thanks to a police constable who returned fire.

Gulshan Kumar, the founder of T-Series, was assassinated in broad daylight in Versova, with the crime attributed to rival gang members. The attacks continued with Rakesh Roshan being targeted shortly after the release of his film “Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,” and Ajit Diwani, a secretary to actress Manisha Koirala, was killed for refusing extortion demands. These incidents exemplified the pervasive fear that gripped the industry during that era.

Efforts to combat this violence led to significant changes in the Mumbai underworld. A delegation of film personalities approached the police in the 1990s, threatening to relocate Bollywood to Hyderabad if the situation did not improve. This pressure prompted a stringent response from law enforcement, which included the implementation of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and a series of police encounters that dismantled major gangs.

Current Landscape and Emerging Threats

With the decline of major gang leaders, the Mumbai underworld saw a significant reduction in extortion activities and violence against Bollywood figures. However, the landscape began to shift again in 2023 with the emergence of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been implicated in recent threats against actors, including Salman Khan. Reports indicate that shots were fired at Khan’s residence, further escalating concerns within the industry.

The Bishnoi gang’s activities have reportedly included extortion calls to various Bollywood personalities, including filmmaker Rohit Shetty. The recent shooting of Tiger Shroff has intensified fears, suggesting that underworld gangs are attempting to exploit the current climate of anxiety among film professionals.

As the threats from these gangs resurface, the film industry must confront the reality of a changing underworld landscape, where old players have been replaced by new ones, yet the fear remains palpable. The attack on Shroff serves as a stark reminder that the spectre of underworld influence is far from extinguished in Bollywood.

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