Major Fire Guts ‘Anupamaa’ Set in Mumbai, Cine Body Demands Action and Safety Audit

A massive fire broke out early Monday morning on the set of the popular Hindi television show Anupamaa, completely gutting the shooting premises in Mumbai’s Film City. The incident occurred around 5:00 am, just two hours before filming was set to begin for the day. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported, though several crew members and workers were present at the time.

The fire, which reportedly started due to an electrical short circuit, quickly engulfed the set, destroying major portions of the production space. By the time firefighters arrived and brought the flames under control, the set had been reduced to charred remains. The extent of the damage has severely impacted the show’s production schedule, which airs on Star Plus and features actress Rupali Ganguly in the lead role.

In response to the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued a scathing statement, criticising what it called “criminal negligence” on the part of authorities and studio management. AICWA has called for a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident and urged Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to personally intervene.

“Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President of the All Indian Cine Workers Association, 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,” the association’s official release stated.

Gupta further demanded the immediate suspension of the Managing Director of Film City and Mumbai’s Labour Commissioner, holding them responsible for failing to enforce necessary safety protocols. According to AICWA, the fire could have had “catastrophic consequences” had it occurred during active shooting hours, when dozens of cast and crew members would have been on set.

AICWA is also pressing for a full fire safety audit of all film sets and studios across Maharashtra. The association wants the government to enforce strict fire safety rules and blacklist any production houses, producers, or TV channels found violating regulations.

“This is not the first fire incident at Film City. Repeated lapses point to systemic negligence. We are demanding long-term corrective action, not just token apologies,” Gupta added in his statement.

As investigations into the exact cause of the fire are underway, there has been no immediate comment from the production house behind Anupamaa. Meanwhile, fans and industry colleagues have expressed relief that no one was harmed, while also echoing calls for stricter safety norms to protect the lives of thousands working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

IT.