- Thursday, January 16, 2025
From security concerns to violent incidents, several high-profile celebrities have faced significant risks over the years
By: India Weekly
THE KNIFE attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence has put the spotlight back on the vulnerability of Indian film stars to threats and crimes.
From security concerns to violent incidents, several high-profile celebrities have faced significant risks over the years.
Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, has been dealing with security threats for decades. His legal troubles, including the 1998 blackbuck poaching case in which Saif Ali Khan was also involved, have made him a target.
In 2018, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi openly threatened him during a court appearance, followed by an incident in April 2023 where alleged members of the Bishnoi gang fired outside his Bandra home.
Security for Khan was tightened again in 2024 after the murder of Baba Siddiqui, a close associate, leading to the installation of bulletproof glass at his residence.
Other actors have also faced dangers. Gulshan Kumar, the founder of T-Series, was assassinated in 1997 after receiving threat calls.
Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan survived a shooting in 2000, allegedly for refusing to comply with extortion demands.
Shah Rukh Khan has long been a target of underworld threats, prompting the Maharashtra government to grant him Y+ security in 2023.
More recently, incidents involving Preity Zinta, Poonam Dhillon, and others have reinforced concerns over the safety of Bollywood stars.
Zinta testified in a court case about receiving extortion calls, while Dhillon was robbed by a worker in her home earlier this month.
Additionally, actors Mushtaq Khan and Sunil Pal were abducted in separate incidents in late 2024. Both cases were linked to a gang whose leader was arrested after an encounter.
These incidents underline the continuing security challenges faced by Bollywood personalities.
