A massive fire engulfed the set of the hit television show Anupamaa, starring Rupali Ganguly, in Mumbai’s Film City early Monday morning. The blaze broke out at around 5:00 AM—just two hours before filming was scheduled to begin—completely gutting the production set.
While no injuries or casualties were reported, the incident has sparked intense outrage, especially considering the number of crew members already present during the early hours. Observers have noted that if the fire had occurred during active filming, the outcome could have been far more catastrophic.
In response, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has issued a scathing statement on social media, strongly condemning what they describe as gross negligence. AICWA has demanded a high-level investigation into the incident and has called for strict punitive action against those found responsible. The association has also reiterated its long-standing call for mandatory and robust fire safety measures at all filming locations across India.
Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President of AICWA, has urged Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, to initiate a judicial inquiry into the fire. In a strongly worded appeal, Gupta called for the immediate suspension of both the Managing Director of Film City and the Labour Commissioner of Mumbai, accusing them of turning a blind eye to safety violations.
According to AICWA, systemic failures and alleged collusion between regulatory bodies and production houses have led to repeated disregard for safety protocols—endangering the lives of thousands of film workers. Gupta has gone a step further by demanding that a criminal FIR be filed not only against the producers and production house of Anupamaa, but also against the concerned TV channel, the Film City MD, and the Labour Commissioner.
In a shocking turn, AICWA has also urged investigators to explore the possibility of foul play, suggesting that the fire might have been intentionally set to facilitate a fraudulent insurance claim. If true, such actions would represent a serious betrayal of trust and endangerment of lives for financial gain.
This incident has once again brought into focus the persistent issue of fire safety lapses in Mumbai’s entertainment industry. Over the years, several high-profile sets have been destroyed in fires, with little to no accountability. Despite repeated warnings from worker unions and safety experts, the industry continues to neglect basic safety infrastructure.
The fire at the Anupamaa set nearly spread to adjacent studios, raising even more alarm about the lack of preparedness and fire containment protocols in place. Fortunately, other sets narrowly avoided damage.
As the investigation unfolds, AICWA is calling for an immediate fire safety audit of all studios and film sets across Maharashtra. The organization insists that any entity found violating safety standards should be blacklisted without delay.
With pressure mounting from both workers and the public, all eyes are now on state authorities to see how they respond to what could have been a far more tragic event.
