Carpenters Death on Sanjay Leela Bhansali Set Highlights Film-Industry Safety Concerns
On the early morning of June 17, a 42‑year‑old carpenter named Chandradhari Yadav was killed on the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War at Royal Pump Studio in Goregaon East, Mumbai. Union representatives say the fatal incident occurred around 3 a.m., and an electric shock—possibly from a short circuit—may have been the cause. The post‑mortem report is still pending.
Yadav’s wife and two daughters are now left without a breadwinner. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Film Studio Setting and Allied Mazdoor Union (FSSAMU) have approached the film’s producers to secure additional financial assistance for the family. The production house has offered Rs 40 lakhs as compensation, but union leaders argue that the amount is insufficient and that further support is needed, including education for the children and employment for Yadav’s wife.
FWICE president B.N. Tiwari, quoted by the Times of India, warned that workers often work far beyond the prescribed eight‑to‑ten‑hour shift and that there is a limit to how much a person can physically stretch themselves at work. He added that once the post‑mortem report is available, the union will decide on its next steps. "No matter how big the producer or how big a film is being made, workers’ lives cannot be put at risk," Tiwari said.
Ashok Dubey, honorary general secretary of FWICE, noted that Yadav had been on duty continuously for the past three days, from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on the day of the incident. He also said that the federation has requested employment opportunities for Yadav’s wife within the production house.
The president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), Ashoke Pandit, stressed the need for regular inspections and compliance checks. He urged producers, studios and government authorities to conduct audits of sets, electrical wiring and cabling, noting that 150 to 200 workers are often present on a set. "There are lives at stake and significant investments involved in building these sets," Pandit said. "Mandatory compliance with fire, electrical and structural safety norms and comprehensive SOPs is the need of the hour."
The incident has reignited concerns about safety standards and working conditions on film sets across India. Love & War, directed by Bhansali and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, is scheduled for a Christmas 2025 release. The production had been preparing for a 15‑ to 20‑day song schedule in May, but the tragedy has brought the issue of worker safety to the forefront.
As of now, the production house has pledged Rs 40 lakhs to Yadav’s family, while unions continue to demand additional support and stricter safety protocols. The post‑mortem report will determine the exact cause of death, and the unions plan to use that information to shape their next actions. The incident underscores the need for systematic safety oversight on Indian film sets and highlights the vulnerability of workers who often labor under demanding schedules.
The situation remains under investigation, with unions awaiting the post‑mortem findings and the production house reviewing its safety procedures. The outcome of these discussions will likely influence future safety regulations and industry practices.
