Worker dies on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War Set, film body seeks Rs 50 lakh

Sparks fresh debate on worker safety in film industry

This Love & War set tragedy has reignited concerns about safety standards and working conditions in the film industry.

Speaking about the issue, FWICE President BN Tiwari highlighted the challenges faced by workers on film sets. He told Bombay Times, “Apart from monetary compensation, we have requested the producer to take responsibility for the children’s education. Workers are often made to work far beyond the prescribed eight to ten hours, and there is a limit to how much a person can physically stretch themselves at work. Once the post-mortem report comes, we will decide our next course of action.”

The incident has also prompted industry bodies to renew their demand for stricter safety protocols. Ashoke Pandit, President of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and chief advisor to FWICE, called for mandatory audits of film sets and electrical infrastructure. He stated, “We have repeatedly urged producer bodies, studios and government authorities to conduct regular audits of sets, electrical wiring and cabling, considering that 150 to 200 workers are often present on a set.”

FWICE has further alleged that many workers are made to work beyond legally prescribed hours without proper overtime compensation. According to Tiwari, the federation has repeatedly raised these concerns with both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Maharashtra government.

About the film Love & War

The film Love & War marks Bhansali’s first collaboration with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal together. The film is said to centre on a complex love triangle between two officers, played by Ranbir and Vicky, and Alia Bhatt, who finds herself entangled in an emotional struggle between duty and desire.