Leading film industry bodies met in Mumbai on Saturday (February 14) to chart urgent action following recent threat calls and extortion attempts targeting members of the Hindi film fraternity.
Representatives of the Producers Guild of India, Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), Western India Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA), and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) convened at the IMPPA office in Andheri at noon. Those present included Guild members Nitin Tej Ahuja and Shibashish Sarkar, along with FWICE president BN Tiwari and senior representatives from other bodies. IFTPC president Ratan Jain could not attend but extended his support to whatever decision was taken.
The meeting follows threats targeting actors Salman Khan and Ranveer Singh, and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, among others. “This is no longer about isolated incidents. There is a palpable sense of fear. When leading actors and directors receive threats, the anxiety trickles down to every unit member, from spot boys to assistant directors. This is how Sikander (2024) was shot following threats on Salman Khan and in the past year, the fear has only escalated,” a source told mid-day.
The bodies resolved to draft a joint letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking immediate intervention. “We will collectively urge the state to ensure protection not just for high-profile celebrities, but for entire film units. Shoots involve hundreds of daily wage workers. Their safety cannot be compromised,” an insider told mid-day.
The source added, “If there is disruption due to fear or extortion, it directly impacts livelihoods of workers on set. These are regular people trying to make an honest earning. Films will be impacted because fear will drive people out of the industry.”
Who met and why
Bodies: Guild, IMPPA, IFTPC, WIFPA, FWICE
Trigger: Threat calls to Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Rohit Shetty
Key Concern: Safety of entire film units
Next Step: Joint letter to Chief Minister next week
