Popular actor Saif Ali Khan is recovering well after undergoing surgery following six stab wounds. The incident has shaken Bollywood, raising serious concerns about the safety of film stars. Fellow actors like Ravi Kishan, Pooja Bhatt, and Raveena Tandon are calling for better security measures.
The attacker’s identity is still unknown, but the ordeal shines a light on the unique risks celebrities face. While some argue that attention to star safety overshadows everyday issues of public security, others believe stars are soft targets due to their fame and visibility.
Film director Rahul Mittra recalled an earlier incident involving Saif on the set of “Bullet Raja,” where the actor barely escaped an aggressive mob. The fear now extends beyond outdoor shootings, with stars being unsafe even in their own homes. Past cases, like an armed attack at Salman Khan’s residence, amplify such concerns.
Threats aren’t limited to top-tier actors. Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan and comedian Sunil Pal were both kidnapped recently, escaping only after paying their ransoms. Tragically, the industry also remembers the fatal shooting of T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar in 1997 over extortion demands.
Though the days of underworld control over Bollywood have waned, threats have evolved into online trolling, physical assaults, and public boycotts. Incidents like Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s attack during the filming of “Padmaavat” remind us of the harsh reality stars endure.
Criticism often crosses a line, with many forgetting that celebrities are humans too. Beyond the glitz and glamour lies a vulnerable reality that calls for empathy—a reminder that reel lives don’t negate real ones.