KKN Gurugram Desk | In a startling incident early Monday, a major fire engulfed the set of the hit Hindi TV serial Anupamaa in Goregaon Film City. Around 6:00 AM, the blaze erupted in a tent behind the Marathi Bigg Boss set, triggering panic among the crew. Thankfully, quick action by the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) contained the fire before it spread further.
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Fire Breaks Out Before Shoot Begins
The blaze ignited shortly before filming was set to begin—around two hours before the start of the day’s shooting schedule. The inferno consumed a significant portion of the set, with flames leaping high and a thick column of smoke visible from afar.
By 06:26 AM, the incident was classified as Level-1, indicating moderate severity. Within minutes, four fire engines and jumbo tankers arrived at the scene, dousing the flames until around 10:15 AM, when the blaze was declared fully under control.
No Casualties Reported—but Close Call
Miraculously, no injuries were reported. Dozens of crew and staff were on-site during the fire, yet all were evacuated promptly. Had the fire erupted during active filming, it could have resulted in significant casualties.
Footage shared online shows massive flames engulfing the tent—raising immediate concerns over safety protocols on Mumbai’s bustling TV sets.
Cause Under Investigation
Authorities suspect the blaze may have been triggered by a short circuit in the tented area. However, the exact cause remains under investigation as teams continue site inspections.
AICWA Demands Judicial Probe
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemned the incident, accusing producers and channel authorities of repeated negligence and insufficient fire-safety measures. AICWA President Suresh Shyamlal Gupta demanded:
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A high-level judicial inquiry
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FIRs against the production house, the television channel, Film City MD, and the Labour Commissioner
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Urgent implementation of standardised fire-safety protocols across all Mumbai studios
AICWA also suggested the blaze might be linked to fraudulent insurance claims, citing a string of similar fire incidents across Film City.
Industry-Wide Safety Concerns
This fire is the latest in several alarming incidents at Mumbai studios. Film City, Goregaon remains one of India’s busiest production hubs—but safety conditions lag behind its activity. The incident reinforces the urgent need for industry-wide reforms.
What Went Wrong: Possible Lapses
Analysts point to potential safety failures:
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Inadequate quality of electric wiring and power load management
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Lack of fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and clear evacuation protocols
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Insufficient crew training on emergency procedures
Mumbai’s experience with such incidents highlights chronic delays in updating safety infrastructure at Film City.
Preventing the Next Disaster
To avert future threats:
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Enforce compulsory fire audits before every shoot
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Mandate professional-grade fire-fighting systems on all studio premises
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Conduct regular training sessions and mock fire drills for all staff
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Initiate strict legal penalties for production houses violating safety laws
Production Pause & Next Steps
Shooting of Anupamaa has been temporarily halted. Production planners now face the challenge of rebuilding parts of the set while ensuring safety upgrades and compliance before resuming. The show’s tight schedule means prompt action is essential.
Community and Public Reaction
Social media erupted as video clips of the blaze circulated rapidly. Comments highlighted the fortunate timing preventing loss of life and noted the frustrating pattern of recurring on-set fires in Mumbai. AICWA’s intervention added pressure for decisive government response.
The early-morning fire on Anupamaa set at Film City underscores a critical safety emergency in Indian television production. While prompt firefighting efforts prevented casualties and further damage, the incident exposes systemic safety gaps—wiring, protocols, evacuation systems, and enforcement. AICWA’s demand for judicial scrutiny and mandatory safety standards is a wake-up call. As the industry rebuilds the set and resumes shooting, a long-overdue overhaul of on-set safety protocols is essential to protect the thousands working behind the cameras every day.
