In a shocking escalation of threats against the film industry, filmmaker Rohit Shetty has come under heavy protection following a firing incident outside his Juhu residence, Shetty Tower, in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as a “trailer” and warning the director against “interfering” in their work.
The Incident: A Midnight Threat
At approximately 12:45 AM on February 1, unidentified bike-borne assailants fired five rounds at the first floor of Shetty’s nine-story building.
- The Damage: One bullet shattered the glass of a gym located within the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
- The Claim: A social media post from the account of Shubham Lonkar and Arzoo Bishnoi stated: “We messaged him many times telling him not to interfere… the next bullets won’t be outside the house—they will be inside his bedroom.”
- The Arrests: Mumbai and Pune Police acted swiftly, arresting four suspects (Swapnil Sakat, Siddharth Yenpure, Aditya Gayaki, and Samarth Pomaji) in Pune within 24 hours. They are currently in police custody until February 5.
Golmaal 5: Shooting Under Siege
Despite the threats, Shetty is moving forward with the production of Golmaal 5, tentatively scheduled to begin after February 15, 2026. However, the sets at Film City, Mumbai will now resemble a high-security fortress.
The Two-Tier Security Plan:
- Layer 1: A dedicated team of Mumbai Police personnel.
- Layer 2: A private security force of roughly 60 armed guards and personal bouncers.
- Access Control: The set will be a strictly “no-spot-entry” zone. All junior artists, vendors, and crew members must be pre-registered with ID verification.
- Need-to-Know Basis: Call sheets and shoot locations will be circulated selectively and in a staggered manner to minimize the risk of information leaks.
Status of Other Projects
- Rakesh Maria Biopic: Shetty’s ambitious project starring John Abraham has been temporarily stalled. Only two weeks of filming remain, but the schedule is being re-evaluated due to safety concerns.
- Lady Singham: The Deepika Padukone-led spin-off remains in the pre-production phase.
Industry Reaction
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and IFTDA have strongly condemned the attack, noting a “disturbing pattern” of intimidation following recent incidents involving Salman Khan and the late Baba Siddique. The industry has called for a “fear-free” working environment as high-profile creators increasingly find themselves in the crosshairs of organized crime.