Mumbai: A major fire broke out on Tuesday evening at a film studio in Goregaon’s Bangur Nagar, on the first day of shooting for ‘Adipurush’.

Directed by Om Raut, the mahurat took place on Tuesday morning and filming had just begun when the fire erupted. Fire brigade officials said it broke out at 4.15 pm.

The film stars Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan but they were not present, police said. Fire officials said the studio was gutted, along with shooting equipment and electric wiring. Fireman Akshay Tarte (23), who suffered minor injuries, was treated and discharged.

The adaptation of Ramayana went on the floors with a special set. Backed by T-Series, it is to be released in theaters in August 2022. Sources said Raut and some crew were filming.

Residents saw heavy smoke and flames till late on Tuesday.

Officials said eight fire engines, excavators and water tankers were sent to the spot.

Director Om Raut said, “We had an unfortunate incident... Thankfully, no one has been hurt and everyone is safe and sound. We thank Mumbai Fire Brigade and Mumbai Police for support.”

Residents said they had complained that the studio was a fire hazard. Advocate Shreyansh Mithare, secretary of neighbouring Janki-Ram Housing Society, said that they complained to BMC. “BMC told us it had given permission to the studio but it is a fire trap, endangering our lives,” Mithare said.

Santosh Dhonde, assistant municipal commissioner (PSouth ward) said the studio was given permission around 1.5 years back based on BMC’s policy to allow film shootings and events on open plots. “They had taken permission as per rules and BMC is collecting fees from them too. They had completed fire compliance on January 20,” Dhonde said.

Fire brigade officials said a short-circuit in the electric wiring or air-conditioner may have caused the fire, which was extinguished around 8pm.

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On Tuesday morning, Prabhas shared an Instagram post that read ‘Aarambh’ as his magnum opus, Adipurush, went on floors. However, the first day of the shoot was marred by a massive fire that broke out on the Bangur Nagar set in Goregaon around 4.30 pm. Neither the leading man nor Saif Ali Khan, who plays the antagonist in the Om Raut-directed venture, was in the premises at the time of the incident.

“Some VFX scenes were being shot against a chroma screen when a short circuit led to the blaze. Thankfully, nobody was injured,” reveals a source. It is heard that eight fire engines and five tankers of the Mumbai Fire Brigade rushed to the scene to contain the blaze.

The film’s spokesperson confirmed the report, stating, “We had an unfortunate incident today on the sets of Adipurush. Thankfully, no one has been hurt, and everyone is safe and sound. We thank the Mumbai Fire Brigade and Mumbai police for their support.”