A tragic accident on the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s highly anticipated film Love & War has left the film industry in shock. Chandradhari Yadav, a 42-year-old carpenter, died while working at Royal Pump Studio in Goregaon East, Mumbai. The incident reportedly occurred during the early hours of June 17, once again bringing the issue of workplace safety on film sets into focus.
Yadav, a member of the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU), was involved in the construction of the elaborate set for Love & War. Although the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated, union officials have indicated that a possible short circuit may have contributed to the tragedy. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the precise cause of death.
In the aftermath of the incident, Bhansali Productions provided financial assistance of ₹40 lakh to Yadav’s family. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. However, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has urged the production house to raise the compensation to ₹50 lakh, emphasizing the need for greater support for the bereaved family. The federation has also called for stricter safety regulations and better implementation of workplace protocols across film and television productions.
The unfortunate incident has reignited concerns about the working conditions of technicians and daily wage workers in the entertainment industry. Several industry bodies are reportedly pressing production houses to undertake more comprehensive safety audits and ensure strict adherence to occupational safety standards.
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Love & War features Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles and remains one of the most eagerly awaited Bollywood films currently under production.