Ash Wednesday on Black set

A fire broke out on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali8217;s film Black on Wednesday morning, destroying property valued at close to Rs 1 cr...

A fire broke out on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali8217;s film Black on Wednesday morning, destroying property valued at close to Rs 1 crore. The entire floor No.16 of Film City, where a huge set was erected on a 15,000-square feet area, was charred.

The Amitabh Bachchan-Rani Mukherjee starrer, Black is financed by Applause Entertainment. The set was created by art director Omung Kumar 8212; the interiors of a haveli marked by the film-maker8217;s characteristic touch: antique furniture, satin spreads and exquisite chandeliers.

Although the cost of the damage is yet to be ascertained, sources from Bhansali8217;s unit pegged it close to Rs 1 crore. The film-maker was not available for comments.

What sparked off the fire is yet to be ascertained. The Fire Department said it could have been a short circuit, but two LPG gas cylinders had also burst on the sets. 8216;8216;We don8217;t know if the cylinders burst first or the fire broke out due to the short circuit,8217;8217; said Vishwas Kulkarni, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade.

Film City8217;s safety norms do not permit cylinders on sets. 8216;8216;Bhansali did not take our permission. We can8217;t say more till the investigations are complete,8217;8217; said Sanjeevanee Kutty, MD, Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd.

Arun Patil, in-charge of special effects, said, 8216;8216;One of the set boys was varnishing when he put a plug into the socket and it sparked. We were just about to shoot a scene about a fire in a school, with a blind child caught in the middle.8217;8217;

Bhansali8217;s Devdas was also dogged by disaster. In December 2000, an attendant died when the blades of a giant fan came off and hit him. Later, in August 2001, a lightman met with an accident and died on the spot. Again in September 2001, a fire broke out, causing severe damage to the equipment.

Story continues below this ad

Dr Vimal Mundada, State Culture Minister, said there would be an inquiry into today8217;s fire. 8216;8216;We let studios to film people on rent. Though we try to stick to safety guidelines, we need the industry8217;s cooperation.8217;8217;

The unit of Black had just returned from an outdoor shoot in Shimla and had booked Floor No.16 till March-end.