A tragic accident on the sets of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period drama Love & War has shaken the Hindi film industry and raised serious questions about on-set safety standards. A 42-year-old carpenter, Chandradhari Singh Yadav, lost his life after suffering a fatal electric shock during a shoot at Royal Pump Studio in Mumbai’s Film City.
The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of June 17 while preparations were underway on set. According to reports, the cause of death was a short circuit, which led to a severe electric shock. At the time of the accident, actor Alia Bhatt was also present on the set for filming.
Compensation Offer and Growing Demands
Following the incident, Bhansali Productions announced an immediate compensation of ₹40 lakh for the deceased worker’s family. However, the decision has sparked debate within the industry.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has stepped in, demanding that the compensation be increased to ₹50 lakh. The federation argues that the current amount is not sufficient to secure the long-term future of the family, especially considering that Yadav has left behind his wife and two young daughters.
FWICE President B.N. Tiwari emphasized that financial aid must go beyond a one-time payout. He has also urged the production house to ensure employment for the deceased worker’s wife, so that the family can have a stable source of income moving forward.
Concerns Over Working Conditions
Beyond compensation, the incident has triggered a wider conversation about the working environment on film sets. Industry representatives have raised concerns about the demanding schedules and unsafe conditions faced by daily-wage workers in the entertainment industry.
Reports suggest that Yadav had been working extremely long shifts—stretching up to 20 hours a day for several consecutive days before the accident. This revelation has intensified criticism about the lack of regulated working hours and insufficient safety measures on large-scale film productions.
Industry bodies are now calling for mandatory electrical safety audits across all film sets, along with stricter enforcement of working hour limits to prevent exhaustion and reduce risk for technicians and crew members.
A Film Under Scrutiny
Love & War, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, is one of the most anticipated films in production. However, the tragedy has cast a shadow over the project, putting its safety protocols and production practices under close scrutiny.
As investigations continue and the post-mortem report is awaited, the incident has become a painful reminder of the invisible workforce behind big-budget cinema—workers whose safety often goes unnoticed until tragedy strikes.
