A Star-Studded Kickabout
The football ground at Pushpa Park was buzzing with energy on Sunday, October 18. Actor Tiger Shroff, known for his passion for the sport, was on the field for a regular friendly game. He wasn't alone. The match featured a host of familiar faces from
the Indian film and television industry. Among the 18 players were actors Aparshakti Khurana and Abhimanyu Dassani, and renowned choreographer Caesar Gonsalves. Television actors like Abhishek Bajaj and Karanveer Mehra were also part of the lineup, making it a casual gathering of industry colleagues enjoying a physical, competitive pastime away from the film sets. For the fans and locals gathered nearby, it was a chance to see stars in a relaxed setting, a world away from the high-stakes drama they portray on screen.
The Sudden Sound of Gunfire
The friendly atmosphere was shattered around 7 p.m. as Tiger Shroff was leaving the park. Eyewitnesses reported that three individuals arrived on a motorcycle. Two of them approached Shroff's BMW and opened fire as the actor was getting into his vehicle, which was surrounded by fans hoping for a photograph. The initial sounds were confusing, as some people were setting off fireworks for Navratri celebrations nearby, and a children's birthday party was also in progress. But the panic was immediate and real. Actor Karanveer Mehra, whose car was behind Shroff's, described seeing blood spots and realising the gravity of the situation as people ran for safety. The assailants fired multiple rounds directly at the car before fleeing the scene.
Stars Safe, but Shaken
Tiger Shroff miraculously escaped being hit by any bullets, though he reportedly sustained minor injuries from shattered glass. However, his driver, Firdaus, was struck in the hand, and another bystander, an autorickshaw driver, was also injured in the attack. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment. The other celebrities who had been playing football were reportedly still on the ground when the shooting took place. Following the incident, government officials, including Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, visited Shroff and his family, assuring them of their safety and promising swift action. The actor's mother, Ayesha Shroff, later told reporters, 'God is great', expressing relief that her son was safe.
An Ongoing Investigation
Mumbai Police immediately launched a massive investigation, forming multiple teams to track down the assailants. A social media post quickly surfaced in which individuals claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the attack. The post included a warning that those in the film industry who work with actor Salman Khan would be targeted. Police are verifying these claims as part of their investigation. Three suspects were later detained in connection with the attack, and police sources revealed that the planning may have been underway for over a month, involving reconnaissance of the football ground Shroff frequented. The All Indian Cine Workers Association condemned the attack, highlighting the fear of extortion and violence that plagues the industry.
