Lights, camera… gunshots.
Over the past few years, a series of brazen firing incidents targeting India’s biggest celebrities has shaken Bollywood to its core. From megastars and filmmakers to social media influencers and singers, high-profile personalities have increasingly found themselves living under the shadow of real-life violence. While most attacks thankfully resulted in no injuries, they have sparked nationwide concern and forced a revaluation of security protocols for the rich and famous. What was once limited to on-screen drama now seems to be spilling dangerously into the streets, with bike-borne gunmen, late-night ambushes, and gang-related intimidation forming a chilling pattern.
The turning point for public awareness came on April 14, 2024, when multiple gunshots were fired outside Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most secure neighborhoods. Motorcycle-borne assailants struck without warning, causing panic not just among residents but across the nation. The notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang quickly claimed responsibility for the attack, linking it to prior threats against the superstar. Two suspects were arrested, but the incident permanently altered Salman Khan’s security arrangements and served as a wake-up call for the entire industry: if someone of his stature isn’t safe, the vulnerability of other celebrities becomes all the more evident.
The nightmare didn’t stop there. On the night of January 31, 2026, Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty, famed for his high-octane action films, faced real-life danger when four gunshots were fired outside his residence in Juhu, Mumbai. Mumbai Police immediately formed twelve special Crime Branch teams to track down the assailants, while forensic units combed the area for evidence. Heavy security was deployed, and although no one was injured, the incident sent a clear message that even filmmakers accustomed to on-screen explosions were not immune to real-world threats.
The pattern extends beyond Mumbai. In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Disha Patani’s family home became the site of a frightening attack on September 12, 2025, when eight to ten rounds were fired outside. The Goldy Brar gang claimed responsibility, reportedly in retaliation for remarks made by Disha’s sister. The incident marked a dangerous escalation in celebrity-targeted attacks, proving that even family members living far from the glitz of Bollywood were now vulnerable. Similarly, influencer Elvish Yadav faced a terrifying ordeal on August 17, 2025, when over twenty-four bullets were fired at his Gurugram residence by three gunmen on motorcycles. Though Elvish was away at the time, his family was at home, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these attacks and how fame, even online fame, can carry severe real-world risks.
Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken nature, also became a target when shots were fired outside her residence, further cementing the notion that polarizing figures are increasingly at risk. The reach of these threats is not limited to India; Punjabi-Canadian singer AP Dhillon was attacked outside his Canadian home in September 2024. Investigators linked this incident to a Lawrence Bishnoi associate, reportedly due to perceived ties with Salman Khan, demonstrating that celebrity connections can make even international stars vulnerable. Even comedian Kapil Sharma experienced gunfire outside his restaurant in Canada, illustrating that no public or private space associated with high-profile personalities is entirely safe.
This wave of violence is not entirely new, but its intensity has grown. Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan was shot outside his office in 2000, while Govinda faced a shocking incident in which he was shot with his own licensed firearm. Recently, KRK (Kamaal R Khan) also made bail in an open-firing case, bringing the issue back into public discussion. However, the spate of incidents between 2024 and 2026 feels particularly coordinated, brazen, and alarming. These attacks often occur late at night, are carried out by bike-borne shooters, and are claimed openly on social media by gangs like Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, indicating that intimidation and reputation-damaging tactics are key motivations behind these acts rather than simple robbery or chance.
As a result, Bollywood stars are quietly recalibrating their lives. Security arrangements have been tightened, personal movements monitored, and private guards reinforced. Celebrities now live under a constant, unspoken fear that their fame, influence, or even casual associations could make them targets. What was once cinematic drama has now become a chilling real-life thriller, unfolding outside homes, offices, and private properties, rather than on film sets.
The bigger question looms: why are these attacks happening now, and what do they signify about India’s evolving celebrity culture? Is it about extortion, ideology, revenge, or simply power displays by gangs seeking attention? Police investigations continue, CCTV footage is being meticulously analyzed, and gang links are under scrutiny, yet one thing is undeniable: the gunshots echo far beyond the walls they hit, sending a message that no one in the industry is untouchable.
From Salman Khan to Rohit Shetty, Disha Patani, Elvish Yadav, Kangana Ranaut, AP Dhillon, Kapil Sharma, Govinda, KRK, and even Rakesh Roshan, the list of targets paints a stark picture. Bollywood isn’t just making action films anymore; it is living one, with every star navigating the perilous reality behind the glamour and glitz. Until the perpetrators are brought to justice, these shocking incidents will continue to remind the industry—and the nation—that fame, power, and visibility can sometimes attract deadly attention.