The advocacy group AICWA has demanded a FIR against ‘Love & War’ director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, after a worker died on the set of the movie.The advocacy group AICWA has demanded FIR against ‘Love & War’ director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after a worker died in the movie. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the director of the upcoming movie ‘Love & War,’ and his film have been put under the spotlight after a crew member who was working on the movie died during the shoot. The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) now has demanded the registration of an FIR against the production house, Bhansali, and those involved in the incident, and compensation of ₹1 crore from the accused to the family of the deceased worker.
The controversy has arisen due to the death of 42-year-old carpenter Chandradhari Singh Yadav on 17th June on the set of ‘Love & War’ at Royal Pump Studio, Mumbai. It was initially reported that Yadav died after coming into contact with an electric shock, perhaps as a result of a short circuit while he was working on the elaborate set of the movie. He leaves his wife and two young daughters. AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta wrote to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the safety of the workers at film sets. The association claimed that the mandatory safety regulations were not followed as Love & War was an “ambitious” film with stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.
AICWA said a more stringent safety regime might have avoided the tragedy. The workers’ body has called for an independent investigation of the incident, a full safety audit of the set and a court action against anyone involved. The association has also asked for financial help to Yadav’s family in the long run to help educate and take care of his two daughters and to help his widow. But the controversy has yet to be complicated, as AICWA has raised doubts about the exact circumstances of the worker’s death. The association said the incident could have been caused by the collapse of a section of the set structure or the roof, which could have injured several workers, rather than electrocution. It has called on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation to determine the facts. It is coming after Bhansali Productions announced on Monday that it would provide financial aid of ₹40 lakh to the family of the deceased worker. But industry groups say that should be raised, taking into account the long-term needs of the family.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) earlier demanded a higher rate of remuneration and demanded for strict safety norms on film sets. The event has sparked a larger discussion on safety measures and job conditions within the Indian movie industry. AICWA now wants the accident to be investigated and prosecuted, and this move has brought to the fore issues of accountability and safety of workplaces in large-scale film making. Love & War, which is being helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, is one of the top Bollywood films on the making list. But the project is now the subject of controversy which could lead to greater demand for tighter safety measures in the entertainment sector as a whole.
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