Actor Rajesh Sharma, 55, is recovering in a private hospital in Kolkata after developing an infection linked to a suspected insect bite. The actor had recently returned from Hyderabad, where he was working on a project featuring Prabhas.

Providing an update on his condition, actor Sudipa Chatterjee says, “He’s a little better now. It’s an unknown insect bite and tests are being done. His condition is being monitored and treatment is ongoing. The last two days have been much better.”

According to Chatterjee, Sharma initially experienced fever after returning home and believed it could be a routine mosquito bite. But, after his condition worsened, he was admitted to hospital. His manager also dismissed reports suggesting the infection had spread to his lungs. “Rajesh ji is better. Bahut fake news phail gaya.”

Following reports of the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called for an “immediate, impartial and transparent investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the case. 

AICWA urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order a high-level inquiry and sought accountability if any lapses in worker safety are found. “We have demanded a thorough probe as the incident raises several critical questions about working conditions on film sets,” AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta said.

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take strict action after actress Shilpa Shinde admitted that the sexual harassment allegations she made against Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! producer Sanjay Kohli were false.

On Friday, the association posted a statement on Instagram, calling the matter a serious concern for the film and television industry. The statement read, “A false sexual harassment allegation can cause irreparable damage to a person’s reputation, family, children, career and mental well-being. Such accusations can permanently tarnish an individual’s image and have devastating consequences not only for the accused but also for their Shilpa Shinde family members and loved ones.”

Condemning false accusations, the association added, “AICWA believes that if a person knowingly makes false allegations, it not only harms the accused but also undermines the credibility of genuine victims who come forward seeking justice.”

The association further stated, “It is important to make it clear that not all women make false allegations. Thousands of women in the film and television industry have genuinely faced harassment and exploitation and deserve support, respect, and justice. The actions of one individual should never be used to discredit or question the experiences of genuine victims.”

Violence shook the neighbourhood of Juhu when two assailants, in the small hours of Sunday, fired multiple rounds outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence, Shetty Tower. Following the attack, Mumbai Police beefed up security at the director’s property as it investigated the matter. Now, mid-day has learnt that security will be deployed on the set of his next, Golmaal 5 that is expected to roll soon.

A member of the film’s creative team revealed, “The film was to roll after February 15 in Mumbai. Whether the shoot dates move will now depend on Shetty and clearance from the police.”

For now, there has been no intimation of a date change. However, the insider revealed that a security team of about 60 will be put into place if Shetty reports on the laugh riot’s set on the scheduled date. Apparently, a two-tier  security ring will be implemented — the first comprising the local police, and the second consisting of Shetty’s personal bodyguards.

“More importantly, there will be an access-controlled zone in which Rohit will operate, and only a few will have access to it. Every person entering the set, including junior artistes, vendors, and daily-wage crew, will be pre-registered with ID verification; no spot entries will be allowed. Vehicle movement will also be regulated with all equipment trucks and vanity vans logged in advance and checked at entry point,” said the insider. 

Keeping the filmmaker’s safety in mind, details regarding the shoot timing and locations will be given on a need-to-know basis. The insider added, “The call-sheet circulation will be restricted, and location details will be shared in a staggered manner.” 

Meanwhile, Shetty’s other film, the Rakesh Maria biopic — which had gone on floors in April 2025, with John Abraham stepping into the shoes of the former Mumbai Police Commissioner — has been on hold over the past fortnight. A source revealed to mid-day that the director was in Ooty for a recce until January 30. “Until mid-January, the film was being shot in South Mumbai. Another two weeks’ work is left on it. But now, the remaining shoot will be reconsidered,” said the source. 

Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) as well as All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned the incident. In its statement, citing the earlier attacks on Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and murder of Baba Siddique, the AICWA said, “This pattern reflects a systematic attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the film industry.”

A massive fire broke out early Monday morning on the set of the popular TV show Anupamaa, located in Goregaon’s Film City. While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, sources say that it was quickly brought under control. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported.

The makers, Shahi Production, in a statement said, “An unfortunate incident occurred early this morning on the sets of Anupamaa. A fire broke out, but by God’s grace, there were no casualties. There was no shoot on Sunday, and Monday’s call time was scheduled for later in the day. At the time of the incident, no unit members were present — only security personnel and set staff, all of whom are safe. No animals were harmed, and proper precautions were taken to ensure their safety. The fire department and relevant authorities are currently investigating the cause, especially since the set was not in use and the main power lights were turned off.”

It further stated, “We have also been made aware of individuals spreading false and misleading information. We sincerely request everyone to refrain from believing or circulating any unverified news. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the senior associations, industry peers, and well-wishers who have reached out with their support and concern. We are also grateful to the channel for standing by us — and above all, to the Almighty for keeping everyone safe.”

Birendra Nath Tiwari, President of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), told us, “The fire broke out around 5 am. It was a massive fire that caused significant damage.” He went on to highlight that a fire safety audit had recently been conducted on the Anupamaa set.

He said, “The production had undergone a thorough fire audit and was found to be fully compliant with all mandatory safety norms. Unfortunately, despite these precautions, the fire broke out — most likely due to a short circuit or electrical fault.”

Stressing on the need for stricter safety measures across the industry, B N Tiwari said, “All sets should go through proper fire and structural audits, especially since many older structures are still in use and pose serious risks. Clear and accessible exit routes, along with functional firefighting equipment, are critical. We urge producers to ensure comprehensive audits across departments and to maintain proper insurance coverage.”

J D Majethia, Chairman (TV & Web Series), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), added, “Thankfully, there were no casualties. Our biggest fear is the loss of lives. Unlike private premises, Film City spans 420 sets, making fire control far more challenging. Located in an open, uncontrolled area, it is crucial that we have full government support to ensure safety. Apart from individual producers being more vigilant and taking extra care and precautions, we urgently need to reassess Film City’s infrastructure and enhance security by developing more guarded and secure studios. Continuous and well-coordinated vigilance is essential. A centralized CCTV system should monitor every corner of each set, enabling immediate response to any fire outbreak. We plan to submit a formal request to the Chief Minister to address these concerns on the industry level in Mumbai and Maharashtra.”

1. Tenali Rama (Film City): In March this year, a fire erupted on the set due to an electrical generator issue; no casualties were reported.

2. Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin (Film City): A massive blaze caused by a short circuit broke out in March 2023. While the set was destroyed, there were no casualties.

3. Pandya Store (Film City): A fire broke out on the show’s set in February 2021, damaging costumes and materials. No lives were lost.

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On Monday morning, a massive fire broke out on the sets of the Rupali Ganguly-led TV show Anupamaa at Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai. The fire started at around 5am.

According to initial reports, the blaze caused significant damage, two hours before the shoot was to begin, but no casualties or injuries were reported.

Producer Rajan Shahi, in a statement, said that there was no shoot scheduled on Sunday and no unit members were present on set at the time of the incident. “The fire department and all concerned authorities are currently investigating the reason, especially since there was no shooting on the set and the main power lights were turned off,” he added.

Meanwhile, All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) condemned the negligence on set and called for an investigation into the fire’s cause in a statement posted on X. AICWA has also called for an FIR to be filed against the producers, the production house, and the television channel, as well as the Film City Managing Director and Labour Commissioner.

AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta also urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate a statewide fire safety audit of all film sets and studios. He further demanded that any producer or production house found violating fire safety norms be blacklisted.

A camera attendant named Vineet Kumar Mandal died after getting electrocuted on the sets of the TV show Anupamaa on November 14. In its aftermath, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has strongly reacted to the incident. AICWA president Suresh Gupta has written a letter to the Maharashtra CM demanding immediate action.

In the letter, the organization alleged that the cause of death was disregard for safety protocol, calling the incident an “institutionalized murder”.

A part of the letter read, “The worker’s death occurred due to electrocution caused by faulty equipment on the set. The production house resumed shooting blatantly ignoring the gravity of the situation. The hazardous conditions on sets, perpetuated by the use of old, damaged and poorly insulated electric wires patched with plastic tape, created a death trap for workers.”

AICWA’s demands include lodging an FIR under Section 302 against the producers of Anupamaa, the channel and the managing director of Film City, along with a compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the victim’s family. We reached out to Anupamaa’s director Rajan Shahi but there was no response.

Singham Again and Heeramandi are among the recent projects shot in Film City

For decades, the Film City in Goregaon has been the hub of countless movie and television shoots. But of late, many in the entertainment circle feel that the property is unable to accommodate the burgeoning film industry’s demands. On July 10, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) had a meeting with Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister, to discuss their proposal of the state investing Rs. 10,000 crore in constructing a new Film City. 

The AICWA underlined that the existing Film City is primarily situated on forest land, rendering it impossible to expand further. Citing the example of Uttar Pradesh’s in-the-works Film City, which boasts proximity to metro stations and an airport, they emphasized the need for a new facility in Mumbai.

Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President, AICWA, shares, “We met with Patil Sir, and he has assured us that he will take up the matter with the Chief Minister [Eknath Shinde] and Ajit Pawar [Deputy Chief Minister]. The existing Film City cannot be developed further. Our infrastructure doesn’t match up [to the needs] of the film industry. The UP government has ensured that there is metro and airport connectivity, and everything possible [in the Noida Film City]. What is done for Bollywood here?” 

While it is still at the discussion stage, Gupta hopes the concerned authorities will take prompt action. “If you drive through Film City, you’ll see that the roads are broken, there are no street lights, and the roofs of sets are leaking. We have requested that 500 acres of land around Mumbai be identified, and work on a bigger studio set-up begins. No one is asking them to cut forest land. That should be preserved at all costs.”

In the proposal, the AICWA has recommended that the new property have important features. One of the suggestions is that it could include hostels.

“About 60 lakh people come to work here every year, and more than 50 per cent of them return [after being unable to make ends meet]. Hostels can be built for them. A filmmaking institute can be made. Today, most of the studios are sold or on the verge of sale—from RK Studios to Filmistan. Shoots in Mumbai have reduced a lot. For our heritage and employment, this needs to be done.”

Shocked by actor Noor Malabika Das’ death, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is planning to have a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and urge for a thorough probe into the alleged suicide. The union has shot off a letter to them to this effect. Noor, who was last seen in Kajol’s The Trial, was found dead by the Oshiwara Police at her Lokhandwala flat on June 10, four days after she passed away on June 6. The police found her when they broke into her apartment after her neighbours reported a foul smell coming from her residence.

Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, President, AICWA, says he is concerned about the high incidence of suicides in showbiz.

“There are many suicide cases among actors in the Indian film industry, which is why the government needs to investigate this issue seriously. I will meet the Chief Minister and Home Minister regarding Noor Malabika Das’ case and demand an SIT [Special Investigation Team] probe. In the case of actress Tunisha Sharma, who allegedly died by suicide on set [in 2022], I have been fighting to have it investigated as a potential murder. The central government must also be made aware of and investigate the high rate of suicides in Bollywood,” says Gupta. In the letter, the union also stated that one cannot rule out foul play.

With Noor’s death investigation underway, more details are emerging. On Tuesday, her aunt Arati Das reportedly indicated that she was battling depression. She said that the actor hoped to make it big and was “unsatisfied with her achievements, which forced her to take this extreme step.”

Hailing from Assam, Noor was a flight attendant with Qatar Airways, before featuring in a few web series.

The Oshiwara police investigating the suicide case of actress Noor Malabika Das have revealed that she was in a relationship with a gym owner from Lokhandwala. Both were planning to get married and had each other's names tattooed on their bodies. The police had to summon her boyfriend for interrogation to find out what led her to take such a drastic step.

Based on the information obtained from the family of the actress, the cops learned that her parents wanted her to get her married but she was in no hurry. She said that she would first think about her career and would consider marriage only after reaching a certain position in her profession.

The All India Cine Workers Association is also in shock after hearing about the suicide. The president of the association Suresh Shyamlal Gupta wrote a letter (mid-day has a copy) to the Chief Minister and Mumbai police commissioner, appealing for a thorough investigation.

He stated in the letter, “Such tragic incidents within the Bollywood industry call for serious introspection and thorough investigation into the underlying causes. It is imperative to explore all possible factors, including the potential for foul play, to ensure that the truth is brought to light and justice is served. Das had contributed significantly to the Bollywood film industry, and her untimely death is a poignant reminder of the destructive trend of suicides within the Indian film fraternity.”

Noor Malabika Mrinal Das, a resident of Narikhli village in Laxmibazar, North Karimganj, Assam, was the daughter of Rita Das, a retired assistant headmistress of Laxmibazar High School. Her elder sister Moushami Das is also a teacher in Guwahati. Her parents, who are senior citizens, have not yet been informed about her death. A couple of weeks ago, Das’s parents along with her sister Moushami had joined her in the city. They had to leave for their native village in Assam because her elder sister Moushami’s mother-in-law had taken ill. When the tragedy occurred Moushami was tending to her mother-in-law in a village near the Bangladesh border. Moushami had taken her parents with her as there was no one else to care for them. Thus they couldn't come to Mumbai to perform her last rites.

Alok Nath Pathak, an actor, and friend of Das, to perform the last rites in their absence. Alok Nath performed her last rites as per the religious beliefs of Das’s family.

Noor Malabika Das, a former air hostess with Qatar Airways and an actress, allegedly committed suicide. Police recovered her body from her flat in Lokhandwala on June 6. Das is believed to have hanged herself from the bedroom fan. According to police sources, the incident came to light when neighbours reported a foul smell emanating from the flat, prompting them to inform the Oshiwara police. Upon breaking the door and entering the flat, police found Das’s body hanging from the ceiling fan in a decomposed condition. The police collected medicines, her mobile phone and her diary during the search of the house. No suicide note has been found yet.