New Delhi: For decades, Amitabh Bachchan has stepped outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, every Sunday evening to greet hundreds of fans outside his bungalow. On 1 November, the 83-year-old actor continued the tradition, but with an additional security arrangement. This time, Bachchan greeted his fans from behind a transparent bulletproof glass enclosure installed around the platform.
While the veteran actor waved at the crowd, his son, Abhishek, was also present, and security personnel monitored the situation.
The new arrangement comes nine days after a threatening email reportedly mentioned Bachchan’s residence among other locations around Mumbai allegedly targeted for bomb blasts.
On 23 October, Mumbai Police received information about a threatening email sent to the office of Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. The email reportedly mentioned Bachchan’s residence, the mayor’s office and the venue of singer Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming concert, Mahalaxmi Race Course.
According to officials, the email threatened to target Jalsa between 31 October and 27 November.
The email was also marked to Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi. Security arrangements were increased at the locations mentioned, and police initiated an investigation to identify the sender.
The video of Bachchan greeting fans from behind bulletproof glass has since gone viral on social media. From reactions and criticism to Abhishek Bachchan’s presence beside his father, fans are dissecting every second of Sunday’s appearance.
“Under the watchful eyes of his son. Abhishek may have some flaws in his acting career; as a son, he is already a superstar,” commented one X user.
“This is the failure of the state government,” posted another.
“Though he is inside safety glass…But the mirror questions the state administration. How sad,” wrote one user.
“What a life these people have, bulletproof jackets and bulletproof glass boxes,” read one post.
The development comes two weeks after a shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai’s Juhu area.
On 18 October, two men allegedly opened fire at Shroff’s BMW while he was returning from a football game. One of the attackers reportedly pointed a firearm directly at the actor, but the weapon jammed. Shroff escaped without injuries, while his driver was injured.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)