Concerns over fire safety, structural integrity, and emergency readiness on Mumbai sets have resurfaced following a worker’s death at Royal Pump Studio during the filming of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War. Fire safety on shooting sets has always been a major concern. Recent fire incident on the sets of the TV show Pati, Patni Aur Panga is a crude reminder of the same.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has alleged that repeated warnings about unsafe shooting locations have gone largely unaddressed. FWICE has demanded thorough site inspections, strict compliance with safety norms and an Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.

Repeated Warnings, Little Action

According to FWICE, the union initially requested mandatory fire safety audits for studios and sets on May 29, 2024, followed by an additional appeal on June 1, 2024, specifically addressing temporary shooting structures. Further reminders were sent on July 9 and December 9, 2024, January 15 and June 24, 2025, and February 28, 2026.

Despite these representations, the federation claims it has received no comprehensive response detailing inspections or corrective action.

Key concerns include inadequate fire safety measures, fragile temporary set construction, lapsed licenses, and a lack of emergency preparedness. FWICE has sought joint inspections by fire, municipal and other authorities, covering electrical installations, emergency exits, structural stability and evacuation facilities.

It has also demanded action against non-compliant studios, including sealing or suspension of operations wherever legally warranted, and an ATR on complaints concerning Chitrakoot Maidan and Royal Pump Ground in Goregaon.

“Human life cannot be protected by correspondence alone. It requires timely inspection, enforcement and accountability,” the federation stated.

Workers Lack Basic Safety Facilities

Gangeshwar Srivastava of the Allied Mazdoor Union said workers remain vulnerable, particularly during set construction, when hundreds are employed without adequate emergency facilities.

“Despite repeated complaints to producers, studios and authorities, safety norms are not being properly followed. Hundreds of workers are involved in set construction, yet ambulances and basic fire safety arrangements are often missing,” he said.

Demanding heavy penalties for safety violations and vigilance inquiries into officials allegedly ignoring complaints, Srivastava added, “Some production houses maintain proper safety standards, but workers’ safety must be ensured on every set, not just big productions.”

Fire Department Points to Studio Owners

A senior Fire Department official maintained that responsibility for fire safety compliance rests primarily with studio operators and permitting authorities.

“Under Section 3 of the Maharashtra Fire Services Act, it is their responsibility to get the required fire audit, structural audit and safety compliance carried out through licensed agencies and to maintain the prescribed fire-safety systems. The Fire Brigade does not install these systems for private establishments,” the official said.

The official also questioned the role of authorities granting permissions without ensuring compliance.

“You cannot grant permissions and then put the entire responsibility on the Fire Brigade. The authorities granting those permissions must ensure compliance with fire-safety requirements.”

The official said the Fire Brigade provides emergency response and can initiate appropriate action when non-compliance is formally reported, but installing and maintaining safety infrastructure remains the establishment’s responsibility.

Producers’ Body to Issue Advisory

JD Majethia, Chairman of the Television Division of the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), said the association would issue a fire safety advisory to producers.

“After discussing the issue this morning, we decided to email everyone in the industry and issue an IFTPC advisory to ensure fire safety protocols are systematically checked and upgraded,” he stated, stressing that heightened vigilance is necessary.

Emphasising studio owners’ responsibility, Majethia added, “The studio owner is one of the biggest stakeholders. Producers will do whatever is required from their end, but the fire-safety systems installed within the studio premises are under the studio owner’s control. Studio owners have to be extra careful.”

“Producers will have to ensure that they inform the studios about the necessary safety requirements, and the studios also have to comply. At times, some studios do not even have basic fire-safety measures in place,” he said.

Accountability Remains the Key Question

While the exact circumstances of the worker’s death at Royal Pump Studio need to be established through investigation, the incident has intensified scrutiny of safety enforcement across shooting locations.

While worker advocates push for mandatory audits, producers urge greater caution, and fire officials demand studio compliance, fundamental accountability remains unclear: who actually verifies that a set is safe before work begins?

FWICE has sought a detailed response within seven days, insisting that preventive action, rather than post-incident measures, must become the priority.

(Picture for representation purpose only)