Actor Tiger Shroff escaped gunshot injuries after three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at his car near Pushpa Park in Juhu on Sunday evening (October 18). His driver and an autorickshaw driver were injured in the incident. Karan Veer Mehra, who plays football with Tiger every Sunday, was at the venue and was travelling in the car right behind the actor’s when the firing took place.

Recalling the frightening moments and the confusion that followed, Karan shares, “We were playing football, as we do every Sunday. I was right behind Tiger’s car, clicking pictures with some kids, when I heard a loud, sharp sound. Given the festive season, one would imagine it was firecrackers bursting. However, people soon started shouting, ‘Goli chal gayi!’ as Tiger sped away in his car. Someone shouted that Tiger had been shot at. I left my car behind and ran outside to see what had happened. I saw bloodstains on the road.”

Karan says the situation was particularly alarming because he had been standing close to the actor moments earlier, and the people around them were initially unsure about what had happened.

He adds, “Tiger drove off to the Santacruz police station. I followed him, but we had to drop off our friends’ kids, who were attending a birthday party at the venue. On the way back, I spoke to Tiger, who told me, ‘Everything is fine. Don’t come. They have sealed the hospital.’ I drove past Nanavati Hospital and went back home.”

While Karan was relieved that Tiger was safe, the incident left him shaken, especially after he learnt that the actor’s driver had been injured.

He says, “Tiger’s driver was injured and got out of the car. He couldn’t drive, so Tiger took the wheel. Tiger must have been hit by glass shards. I was in touch with him until last night and also spoke to his sister, Krishna. It has been traumatising for everyone. I was absolutely terrified, to be honest.”

Recalling their regular Sunday football sessions, Karan points out that Tiger often steps out to meet fans and click pictures, making him grateful that the actor did not follow that routine on this occasion.

He says, “Tiger usually goes to the gate to click pictures, and I am glad he didn’t do that yesterday. I have seen videos of those men standing almost at point-blank range and shooting at his car. Thank God, nothing major happened. Luckily, the windows were tinted, so they couldn’t aim at him.”

Karan also expresses disbelief that someone would target the actor, whom he describes as focused on his work and fitness and respectful towards others. “Why would somebody attack this guy jo na lene mein na dene mein, na party mein, na controversy mein? Apna kaam karta hai, fitness mein rehta hai and he is so respectful towards everyone,” he says.