MUMBAI, November 10, 2026: Actor Manoj Bajpayee has expressed concern over the safety of Bollywood celebrities following the shooting involving Tiger Shroff in Mumbai last month. While the incident has revived memories of organised crime's influence on the film industry, Bajpayee believes the threats facing actors today are different from those of the past.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, the actor said the nature of criminal activity had changed, with attackers potentially receiving instructions from people operating at a distance. His remarks come as several prominent film personalities review their security arrangements.
Mumbai Police have reportedly advised leading actors to avoid crowded public places and large gatherings as a precaution following the October attack.
Manoj Bajpayee Reacts to Tiger Shroff Shooting
Bajpayee, who witnessed an earlier era when threats and extortion affected the Hindi film industry, was asked whether the same atmosphere of fear was returning.
He rejected the idea that the current situation was an exact repetition of the past.
"It will never go back to the same old time," Bajpayee said.
The actor explained that criminals were no longer necessarily targeting the film industry as a whole. Instead, he suggested that individual celebrities could become targets through operations directed remotely.
He also raised concerns about the possibility of someone being attacked even when that person was not originally intended to be the target.
His comments followed reports that suspects arrested in the Tiger Shroff case had discussed other prominent Bollywood actors during police questioning.
What Happened in the Tiger Shroff Firing Case?
The security concerns intensified after gunmen opened fire on Tiger Shroff's vehicle in Mumbai on October 18, 2026.
According to Reuters, the actor was injured in the attack, which took place as he was leaving a football ground.
Police subsequently arrested three suspected shooters. Eight additional people allegedly connected with the conspiracy were also detained, according to reports citing investigators.
Authorities are examining whether the incident was linked to an organised criminal gang associated with previous threats and attacks involving film personalities.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against those arrested have not been established through a final court judgment.
Were Salman Khan and Other Bollywood Stars Also Targeted?
Reports citing police sources have suggested that the accused conducted surveillance of several prominent actors before the October shooting.
According to The Times of India, investigators were told that the suspects had examined possible targets including Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.
The reported statements have prompted concern about whether the threat extended beyond Tiger Shroff.
Bajpayee referred to those allegations while discussing the unpredictability of present-day criminal activity.
However, the suspects' reported statements should not be treated as conclusive evidence of a verified plot against every celebrity named.
Investigators have not publicly established the complete circumstances or motivations behind the attack.
Amitabh Bachchan's Security Measures Draw Attention
The shooting also brought renewed scrutiny to the security arrangements around Amitabh Bachchan's public appearances.
During his customary Sunday meeting with fans outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, on November 1, the veteran actor appeared behind a protective glass enclosure.
The arrangement attracted attention because Bachchan has maintained the tradition of greeting admirers outside his home for many years.
The additional protection followed heightened security concerns and a separate reported threat involving his residence.
On November 8, however, Bachchan returned to his weekly appearance without the protective glass. He was accompanied by his son Abhishek Bachchan and security personnel as he wished fans on Diwali.
Bajpayee described the sight of a senior actor needing such heightened protection as concerning.
The episode illustrated how security precautions can affect even familiar public interactions between film stars and their audiences.
Is Bollywood Facing a Return of Underworld Threats?
Bollywood has experienced violence, extortion and intimidation linked to organised crime over several decades.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, threats against film producers, actors and other industry figures became a major concern for law enforcement.
The industry has since undergone substantial changes in how films are financed, produced and distributed.
Bajpayee believes the criminal environment has changed as well.
His assessment is that threats today may be more narrowly directed at individuals, rather than representing a return to an era when the wider film industry faced sustained pressure.
That distinction is important because the latest incidents have not established that Bollywood is experiencing a repeat of the organised crime networks and conditions of previous decades.
Mumbai Police Review Security for Bollywood Celebrities
According to Reuters, police have advised prominent actors to exercise greater caution when attending public events or interacting with large crowds.
The reported advisory followed a reassessment of potential threats to celebrities after the attack on Shroff.
Some leading film personalities already employ private security teams, while others receive police protection based on official threat assessments.
The Mumbai Police Commissioner's office had not responded to Reuters' request for comment at the time of its November 10 report.
The reported precautions are intended to reduce potential risks while investigations continue.
Manoj Bajpayee Hopes Conditions Improve
Despite expressing concern, Bajpayee said he remained hopeful about the steps being taken by the Maharashtra government.
The actor said authorities were monitoring the situation and taking precautions to protect those facing potential threats.
He expressed hope that the security environment would improve and that people working in the entertainment industry would feel safer.
For now, the investigation into the Tiger Shroff shooting remains central to understanding the seriousness and possible extent of the threat.
Bajpayee's remarks reflect a wider concern within the industry: actors must be able to work and meet their audiences without the constant fear of becoming targets of violence.
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