Mumbai Police Upgrades Security for Bollywood Stars Amid Fresh Gang Threats

Mumbai Police has upgraded the security cover of at least two leading Bollywood actors to the Y-plus category and strengthened protection for several others following the October 18 shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff and alleged threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The move is part of a wider security assessment of prominent Bollywood personalities, with multiple agencies reviewing existing protection arrangements and identifying individuals who may require additional security, officials said.

The measures include upgrading security categories, deploying additional personnel without changing existing protection levels, monitoring travel routes and extending protection to family members and associates of actors believed to be on the gang’s radar.

Shroff came under attack on the evening of October 18 when his car was leaving a football ground near Pushpa Park in Mumbai’s Juhu area. Three motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly fired at least three rounds. Although the actor escaped unharmed, his driver and an autorickshaw driver sustained injuries.

An audio message attributed to two overseas members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack and warned Shroff against working with actor Salman Khan.

The gang has also been linked to previous incidents, including firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence in February, a shooting outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence in April 2024, and the killing of former Maharashtra MLA Baba Siddique in October 2024.

According to a police source, the latest review has resulted in one leading actor’s security being upgraded from X category to Y-plus, while another actor’s protection has been raised from Y category to Y-plus. The Indian Express has withheld their identities and specific security arrangements for operational reasons.

A senior Mumbai Police officer declined to disclose details but said the department regularly reviews threat perceptions and remains in contact with individuals facing potential threats.

The officer explained that additional personnel could be deployed at specific locations where the perceived threat is higher, without necessarily changing an individual’s official security category. A formal upgrade, by contrast, requires more personnel to accompany the protected individual during movements.

Security arrangements for certain leading actors are also reportedly strengthened to levels equivalent to Z-category protection during interactions with fans. Both uniformed and plainclothes personnel are deployed during such occasions, while additional safeguards are maintained during public appearances and movements outside their residences.

Protection has also been reinforced at some actors’ homes, including Shroff’s residence. A bulletproof structure has reportedly been installed at the home of one actor.

Actors planning to travel outside Mumbai have been advised to share their proposed itineraries with police in advance. Authorities are also conducting security assessments at destinations before their arrival. Local police stations are alerted to provide protection while celebrities remain within their respective jurisdictions.

The ongoing review extends beyond actors who have directly received threats. It also covers individuals believed to be closely associated with celebrities reportedly targeted by the gang. Their protection is being determined according to individual threat assessments.

Police sources said family members of some actors have also been provided X-category security.

Officials indicated that further changes to security arrangements could be made once the comprehensive threat assessment is completed.