Anupamaa: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Rupali Ganguly Show’s Set; AICWA Demands Probe

A major fire broke out Monday morning on the set of the popular TV show Rupali Ganguly’s Anupamaa, in Mumbai’s Film City. The fire started around 5:00 AM and completely destroyed the set, just two hours before shooting was set to begin. At the time of the incident, several workers and crew members were present on-site, engaged in preparations for the day’s filming. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported. However, the timing of the fire has raised alarm; had it occurred during active shooting hours, the consequences could have been far more tragic. Following the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) took to X (formerly Twitter) and issued a strong statement condemning the negligence. The organisation has demanded a high-level investigation into the cause of the fire and has called for strict accountability from producers, production houses, and broadcasters. AICWA is also pushing for the mandatory implementation of comprehensive fire safety measures across all shooting locations. ALSO READ: TRP Race Week 23: Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad Out Of Top 5, Anupamaa Rules First Position Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President of the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), has issued a strong statement calling upon the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, to order a high-level judicial inquiry into this fire incident. He has also demanded the immediate suspension of the Managing Director of Film City and the Labour Commissioner of Mumbai, blaming them for not enforcing safety rules. According to AICWA, their negligence and alleged collusion allow producers to ignore fire safety norms, putting thousands of workers at serious risk. AICWA has urged that a criminal FIR be registered against the producers, the production house, the TV channel, as well as the Film City MD and the Labour Commissioner. The organisation also wants the investigation to look into the possibility that the fire was deliberately set by the producers or the channel to falsely claim insurance money, a shocking claim that, if true, means lives were put in danger for profit. This latest incident is a reminder of the recurring fire hazards plaguing Mumbai’s film studios. Over the years, several sets have gone up in flames due to alleged lapses in fire safety, bringing into question the preparedness and responsibility of production teams. Critics and workers alike have repeatedly pointed out the industry’s disregard for basic safety protocols, which puts the lives of countless workers at risk every single day. In this case, the damage could have extended beyond the Anupamaa set. Multiple nearby sets were dangerously close to the fire but narrowly escaped destruction. AICWA’s Suresh Shyamlal Gupta has also made an urgent appeal to the Chief Minister to order a full fire safety audit of all film sets and studios across Maharashtra. He firmly stated that any producer, production house, or TV channel found breaking fire safety rules should be immediately blacklisted. Read more