World · India Bureau
Bollywood's Dark History with Underworld Violence Resurfaces
The shooting incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff's vehicle has reignited focus on the long and troubling relationship between India's film industry and organized crime. The attack echoes a pattern of violence spanning decades that has claimed producers, directors, and actors.
LSN India ·
The recent shooting at actor Tiger Shroff's car in Mumbai has brought renewed attention to Bollywood's fraught history with underworld violence. The incident marks another chapter in a troubling narrative that has periodically surfaced over the past three decades, reminding the industry of its vulnerability to criminal elements.
One of the earliest and most significant cases involved music producer and film producer Gulshan Kumar, who was shot dead in 1997 by alleged underworld operatives. Kumar's murder sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and exposed connections between organized crime syndicates and Bollywood. The case became emblematic of the risks faced by prominent industry figures during that era.
Other notable figures have also fallen victim to underworld-linked violence. Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan survived an assassination attempt in 2000 when gunmen fired at him, an attack widely attributed to underworld rivalry. Actor Salman Khan has faced multiple threats and incidents over the years, while filmmaker Rohit Shetty's name has been associated with extortion cases allegedly connected to organized crime networks.
These incidents reflect a persistent challenge for India's film industry, where the intersection of immense wealth, celebrity status, and criminal networks has periodically erupted into violence. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate such cases, though the underworld's connections to Bollywood remain a security concern that refuses to fade entirely.