A devastating fire broke out on the set of popular TV show “Anupama” at Film City in Goregaon. The incident occurred around 5 am, and it took five fire trucks and several hours to bring the blaze under control. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the set suffered significant damage.
The president of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), BN Tiwari, has expressed outrage over the incident, suggesting that such fires are often intentional and done for insurance claims. Tiwari stated, “These incidents seem more like planned events than accidents. Every time a set catches fire, an insurance claim is made. It’s becoming a common practice.” He also criticized the lack of fire safety audits and proper fire extinguishing equipment on sets.
Tiwari alleged that even renowned directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali have set fires on their sets for insurance claims. He emphasized that the union will take direct action in this matter and may even take it to court. Tiwari said, “If setting fires for insurance claims is a business, then the union will not forgive. This time, the matter can go to court. We are prepared to take strict action against these producers.”
The FWICE president also mentioned that they will be meeting with the MD of Film City and the Health and Safety Department to discuss the incident. He warned that if such negligence continues, it may lead to a more significant tragedy in the future. Tiwari emphasized that the union will not remain silent on this matter and will fight for the safety and well-being of the workers in the film industry.
The fire could have been more disastrous if it had occurred during working hours when the cast and crew were present on the set. The proximity of another set, “Dori,” which is produced by Rajan Shahi, was also a concern, but fortunately, it was not affected by the fire. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of sets and the need for stricter regulations and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.