A devastating fire broke out on the set of the television drama Anupamaa early Friday morning in Mumbai’s Film City, reducing it to ashes just hours before filming was scheduled to begin.
The blaze ignited around 5:00 AM, with crew members already present for pre-shoot preparations. Fortunately, there were no casualties but the narrow escape highlighted the potential for what could have been a catastrophic loss of life.
The timing of the fire, mere hours before cast and crew would have filled the set, has amplified concerns across the industry. This is not an isolated incident, rather it points to a broader and ongoing problem within Mumbai’s film production ecosystem where fires on sets have become disturbingly frequent.
Many insiders believe that systemic neglect, particularly in the enforcement of basic fire safety standards, is at the heart of the issue. Studios often skip routine fire safety audits, placing hundreds of workers, technicians and performers at risk on a daily basis.
In this case, the fire’s rapid spread nearly consumed adjacent sets as well. Had the flames reached them, the disaster might have escalated beyond control. This close call has intensified scrutiny of those responsible for safety oversight at the Film City complex.
In response, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued a strong statement condemning the failure of regulatory oversight. The association has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident. It has also called for the immediate suspension of both the Managing Director of Film City and the Mumbai Labour Commissioner, alleging that their failure to enforce safety norms enabled producers to bypass mandatory precautions.
The AICWA has urged that a criminal FIR be registered not only against the production house and broadcasting channel associated with Anupamaa but also against Film City’s management and the Labour Department. The association has even raised the possibility that the fire might have been deliberately started in an attempt to fraudulently claim insurance, a scenario that, if confirmed, would reflect a shocking disregard for human life and professional ethics.
Additionally, the association expressed concern that any casualties might have been deliberately concealed to prevent legal fallout and negative publicity. It has insisted that a transparent and thorough investigation be carried out to determine if any lives were lost or harmed in the incident.
Beyond individual accountability, the AICWA is calling for sweeping reform. It has demanded an immediate fire safety audit of all film sets and studios across Maharashtra and has urged that any producer, television channel or production company found in violation of fire safety laws be permanently blacklisted. According to the association, such actions are necessary to safeguard the thousands of daily wage workers, backstage crews and technicians whose lives depend on safe and regulated work environments.
The AICWA warns that without swift and decisive measures, the industry will continue to gamble with lives under the pretext of entertainment and production demands.
