Bollywood Film Shoot in Ladakh Turns Chaotic as 120 Crew Members Hospitalised for Suspected Food Poisoning

Emergency strikes on the sets of an upcoming Bollywood film in Leh, Ladakh, leaving over 120 crew members ill after consuming contaminated food. Authorities confirm all are stable, with five still under observation.

Leh (Ladakh), August 19: What was meant to be another vibrant day of filming in the breathtaking valleys of Ladakh turned into a health scare when nearly 120 crew members of an upcoming Bollywood film were rushed to the SNM Hospital in Leh after suffering from suspected food poisoning.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 17, creating a sudden medical emergency that put immense pressure on the district’s healthcare system. Doctors at SNM Hospital revealed that the sheer number of patients arriving at once made it one of the busiest days in recent memory.

“Our doctors were called in for the emergency as the patient rush was very high. By the end of the day, we had about 120 admissions. The situation was handled well, and all of them have been treated,” said the hospital’s medical superintendent. She confirmed that while most of the patients have been discharged in stable condition, five remain under observation. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported.

Doctors noted that the symptoms included severe dehydration, abdominal pain, vomiting, acute gastroenteritis, and headaches. The hospital staff, aided by the district administration, managed the sudden influx by transferring some patients to nearby facilities for better crowd control and treatment support.

Preliminary information suggests that the crew had consumed meals arranged on the film sets, after which many developed diarrhoea and vomiting. Food samples have been collected and sent for examination, and the final report is awaited.

Family members of the affected crew praised the medical team’s swift response. One relative of a patient told, “We received a lot of help at the hospital, and the doctors and nurses supported us throughout. There were more than 100 people here, but the staff managed very well.”

The identity of the film and its production team has not yet been officially disclosed, and the makers are yet to release a statement regarding the incident. For now, the situation at SNM Hospital remains under control, with authorities ensuring continued monitoring of the affected crew members.

What was intended to be another milestone in Bollywood’s ongoing love affair with Ladakh’s cinematic landscapes has instead left the industry shaken, raising questions about on-set safety and catering arrangements in remote shoot locations.