A tragic accident on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited film Love & War has left the film industry in shock. Chandradhari Singh Yadav, a 42-year-old carpenter working on the film, died after suffering an electric shock at Mumbai’s Film City in the early hours of June 17. Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have caused the accident.
Yadav, who was a part of the technical crew at Royal Pump Studio, is survived by his wife and two daughters. His sudden death has sparked concerns over the safety and working conditions faced by technicians and labourers in the film industry.
Following the incident, Bhansali Productions announced a compensation of ₹40 lakh for the bereaved family. While the gesture has been welcomed, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has appealed to the production house to increase the amount to ₹50 lakh to ensure the education and future security of Yadav’s daughters.
FWICE president BN Tiwari said that Yadav was a skilled worker and that the family deserved stronger financial support. The federation has also urged the production house to provide a job to Yadav’s wife so that the family has a steady source of income.
The incident has once again raised questions about working conditions on film sets. FWICE general secretary Ashok Dubey claimed that Yadav had been working extremely long hours, reportedly from 7 am to 3 am, for three consecutive days before the accident. The federation believes such demanding schedules can put workers’ health and safety at risk.
Calling the tragedy a wake-up call, FWICE has demanded stricter safety protocols and better monitoring of work hours across film productions. The organisation says technicians and crew members, who form the backbone of the industry, deserve safer working environments and reasonable schedules.
Despite the tragedy, Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, remains on track for its January 21, 2027 release. However, the heartbreaking loss of a crew member has shifted the focus towards the need for greater care and protection for the countless workers who help bring films to life behind the scenes.
